Qantas flight with 100 passengers onboard lands safely after mayday call

A mayday call is issued when a flight is in grave and imminent danger and needs immediate assistance.

Auckland, Jan 18: A Qantas flight believed to be carrying more than 100 passengers from Auckland to Sydney landed safely after experiencing an issue with one of its engines.

"Paramedics have been called," the ambulance service spokeswoman said as Flight QF144 from Auckland approached the airport, without providing further details.

Emergency services rushed to the plane after Qantas Flight 144 arrived from Auckland, New Zealand.

Australia's Channels reported it had an engine failure while over the Pacific Ocean. Boeing 737 jets have two engines.

A mayday call is issued when a flight is in grave and imminent danger and needs immediate assistance, according to Airservices Australia.

Qantas said the pilot shut down the engine, but did not specify the problem.

"While inflight engine shutdowns are rare, and would naturally be concerning for passengers, our pilots are trained to manage them safely and aircraft are designed to fly for an extended period on one engine," Qantas said.

Passengers told reporters in Sydney that they were told when they left the plane that an engine had failed.

They described their experience of the engine malfunction as a "slight shudder" and "bumpy-like turbulence." Some reported hearing a bang.

Sydney Airport said emergency crews were put on standby as a precaution, including firefighters, ambulances and police.

Neil Hanford, chairman of Strategic Aviation Solutions, a Sydney-based industry consultancy, said 737s can fly quickly and land safely on a single engine.