Tullamarine flights suspended after Vietnam Airlines jet fire on runway

[Robin 0]

ALL flights in and out of Tullamarine airport have been suspended after an engine problem with a departing Vietnam Airlines flight which caused spotfires on the runway.

A spokeswoman for Melbourne airport said the fires stemmed from debris from the plane but dismissed reports on Twitter that the aircraft was on fire.

The incident happened around 10.50am with ground staff in the process of clearing debris from the tarmac and towing the aircraft from the runway.

She said flights were suspended temporarily and could not confirm when they would resume.

“Everyone is fine, one of the departing aircraft had an issue with the engine,” she said.

”It has been disabled and we are focusing on getting operations back up and running.

”The aircraft is not on fire, but the debris has caused some small spotfires.”

Passengers took to Twitter to vent their frustration, with one writing: “Stuck on runway at Melbourne airport reportedly after fire on another plane forced it to return. Currently clearing debris.”

[Kenneth Chong WT 0]

Ohh...wonder what happened...ingested birds?