Virgin Australia flight VA146 turns back to Queenstown after technical issue

A Melbourne-bound passenger flight was forced to turn back to Queenstown after a technical issue shortly after take-off.

Virgin Australia flight VA146 departed Queenstown Airport about 5.53pm yesterday evening before U-turning over the Tasman Sea.

Flight tracking shows the Boeing 737-800 then circled near Queenstown before landing back at the
airport.

A spokesperson for the airline told the Herald the flight returned due to a technical issue.

“The aircraft landed safely and is being inspected by engineers,” they said last night.