Emergency services alerted to engine fire at Auckland Airport, plane lands safely

Fire and Emergency was alerted to reports of a plane engine fire at Auckland Airport at 1:20pm. Two fire trucks were in attendance. Photo / Supplied

Fire and Emergency services responded to reports of an engine fire on a plane landing at Auckland Airport this afternoon.

Captain David Morgan, Air New Zealand chief operational integrity and safety officer, said the pilot of a flight from Blenheim “observed a flare from the right-hand engine” on approach into Auckland.

“As [per] standard operating procedure, [the pilot] alerted emergency services to be on stand-by as a precaution.”

Multiple fire trucks rushed to the airport, and the airport’s emergency services also responded to the incident.

Emergency vehicles were seen on the runway after an Air New Zealand ATR 72-600 plane touched down.

The plane landed safely and passengers disembarked the aircraft, Morgan said.

“The aircraft will be inspected by our engineers before returning to service.”

The turbo-prop aircraft used on the airline’s regional routes have 68 seats.

Auckland Airport has been approached for comment.