QFA93: Brisbane to Perth flight circles for hours after air speed dial issue forced diversion

A Qantas flight bound for Perth was diverted to Brisbane on Monday night due to a “mechanical problem” and was forced to circle for almost three hours.

Flight QFA943 left Brisbane at around 20.20 local time before the speed dial issue was discovered shortly after takeoff.

A Qantas spokesman said the mechanical issue led pilots to circle the plane off the coast of Brisbane to reduce its fuel load; this was a precaution to ensure the aircraft “met appropriate landing weights” before landing safely.

The plane was scheduled to land in Brisbane at around 23.10 local time on Monday.

Qantas said passengers would spend the night in Brisbane before embarking on a second journey to Perth on Tuesday morning.

The plane will be examined by aviation engineers after landing.

It comes after a Jetstar flight traveling from Melbourne to Phuket was diverted to Perth on Sunday after a female passenger was allegedly abusive to staff and other passengers.

Federal police were alerted by airline staff to an incident on Jetstar flight JQ17 before the plane was diverted to Perth Airport.

The passenger was removed from the plane by AFP and later charged with aggressive and disorderly conduct that endangered the safety of the plane.