Air NZ plane makes emergency stop

File photo / Herald on Sunday

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An Air New Zealand flight with 296 passengers on board had to make an emergency stop on the runway after pilots noticed a warning light.

Air New Zealand spokeswoman Tracy Mills said the Boeing 777 was travelling down the runway, preparing to take off from Narita International Airport in Japan on Sunday night.

She said a light came on indicating problems with the plane's auto thrust controller and pilots chose to pull out of the take-off.

Ms Mills said smoke could be seen coming from the plane's wheels as the brakes heated up. The plane taxied off the runway and was hosed down by fire crews.

None of the 13 crew or 296 passengers were injured in the incident and the cause of the fault is being investigated.

Ms Mills said passengers were put up in hotels at Narita and most were flown to New Zealand the following day.

- NZHERALD STAFF