Qantas Aircraft Returns to LAX Due to Mechanical Issue

WESTCHESTER, LOS ANGELES, Dec. 4 (KNN) — A Qantas aircraft headed to Australia returned to LAX for a mechanical issue early Wednesday morning.

The Los Angeles City and County fire departments were advised of a priority landing request at LAX around 2:20 a.m. due to land on runway 24.

The Qantas flight (QFA216) was headed to Brisbane, Australia (BNE) after reportedly departing LAX at 8:39 p.m. and was due to arrive in AUS at 5:00 a.m.

A Qantas spokesperson stated via email that it was not an emergency landing, and the plane returned to LAX shortly after take-off. The pilots followed normal procedures and returned to L.A.

According to Qantas, passengers were rebooked on flights departing on Dec. 4, and were provided accommodations. The aircraft will be inspected by Qantas engineers in L.A. before returning to service.

The plane landed safely and was met by LAFD personnel on the ground.

Jason Stilwell, Video Journalist / KNN