Media Statement
10 June 2011

Auckland – Perth NZ175 on 9 June Update 3

Investigations are continuing on the Boeing 767-300 aircraft operating as NZ175 yesterday afternoon from Auckland to Perth.

The pilots reduced take-off thrust as normal when they were airborne, but at this time there was an interruption to the airflow through the left hand engine which caused the flare seen from the rear of the engine.

The pilots followed procedure by further reducing thrust on the affected left hand engine and it began operating normally. Regardless of the engine returning to normal operating levels, the pilots followed Air New Zealand’s conservative operating procedures and undertook a precautionary engine shut down before returning to the airport so the cause of the airflow disruption could be determined.

“The change in the airflow in the engine created a similar reaction to that of a car backfiring,” says Air New Zealand General Manager Airline Operations and Safety and Chief Pilot, Captain David Morgan.

“The investigation has established no evidence of bird strike as a cause for the disruption to airflow and no damage to the engine itself. The unit responsible for the control of airflow through the engine has been removed and will be sent to the manufacturer for testing. We have replaced the unit and will now undertake engine tests in conjunction with the engine manufacturer GE.”

Passengers from the flight were accommodated in hotels last night before flying out on another aircraft at 1am this morning, which has since arrived in Perth.

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