A Qantas 747-400 (VH-OJP) enroute to Sydney suffered an uncontained engine failure after taking of from San Francisco Monday night. The explosion occurred in the number 4 engine as the aircraft was climbing through 25,000 feet over the Pacific, about 20 minutes after departure. Pilots turned the plane around, dumped fuel and made a safe emergency landing at SFO. None of the 212 passengers and 18 crew were injured.
Passengers described hearing a loud bang, followed by severe vibration as the plane veered off to the right. The crippled engine continued to spray sparks into the night sky even after it was successfully shut down.
Qantas engine cowling damage. (Screenshot from KGO 7 footage)
Qantas engine cowling damage. (Screenshot from KGO 7 footage)
