QF172 takes the long way home due to tech issue

[Adrian B]

Source Traveller.com.au website

Passengers on a flight from Wellington to Melbourne found themselves on an 870-kilometre detour up towards Norfolk Island, meaning their flight took almost five hours.

The massive semi-circle for those aboard QF172 on June 21 was due to a mechanical fault that developed before the plane took off. A Qantas spokesperson said it was an issue with the "engine driven pump filler" on the 737 aircraft.

The plane was checked by engineers and cleared to depart. However, Qantas explained this particular fault meant it needed to fly closer to diversion airports, which are used in the event of an emergency.