Radar failure forces Qantas flight back

A Shanghai-bound Qantas flight was forced to return to Sydney Airport yesterday after its radar systems malfunctioned, the second radar failure experienced by the airline in two weeks.

In the latest incident involving the airline, QF129 - an Airbus A330-300 carrying 278 passengers - had to return to Mascot an hour into its journey.

Qantas said last night the malfunction had affected the aircraft's weather radar, but passengers told the Herald the pilot had announced that "both radar systems" were not working, suggesting that the plane's basic navigation systems may have failed.

A similar problem forced QF12 to "piggyback" behind an Air New Zealand aircraft for virtually its entire journey from Los Angeles to Sydney on October 29.

Passengers from yesterday's flight told the Herald that the initial 11.30am take-off had been delayed for more than an hour due to "mechanical difficulties".

Around 3pm the aircraft began a sweeping 180-degree turn and headed back to Sydney. The plane spent about an hour in a holding pattern while dumping its heavy fuel load to allow a safe landing.

"The pilot definitely told us that both radar systems had failed," one passenger said. "He said we had to turn back because he couldn't fly over Indonesia without the radar systems."

Having had their travel plans disrupted, passengers had to wait for about four hours for a replacement aircraft.

The flight was due to take-off at 7pm, but passengers reported more delays due to mechanical problems with the replacement plane, with Qantas providing passengers with a $20 dinner voucher.

"Tonight was supposed to be special," the passenger said. "I'm only going to Shanghai for three nights, so I've effectively missed the main reason for going. It's a sad reflection on Qantas and a lot of passengers are saying they won't fly on Qantas again."

- © Fairfax NZ News