QantasLink QF1972 from Adelaide to Canberra makes emergency landing with three Liberal politicians on board

Amy Lee
The Nightly
Qantas flight QF1972 from Adelaide to Canberra issued a mayday and returned to Adelaide shortly after takeoff when the cabin began filling with smoke. The aircraft landed safely and paramedics attended to passengers, with reports suggesting politicia

A QantasLink flight was forced to make an emergency landing in Adelaide after issuing a mayday call shortly after take-off on Wednesday morning.

Flight QF1972 departed Adelaide Airport at 6.10am bound for Canberra but turned back within minutes when smoke reportedly filled the cabin.

The aircraft landed safely at 6.21am.

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Firefighters and paramedics met the plane on arrival to check passengers. No injuries have been reported.

Three Liberal politicians were caught up in the frightening incident, including South Australian senator Leah Blyth, who were travelling to Canberra for crucial net-zero policy talks.

Speaking to FiveAA radio after the landing, Ms Blyth said she was “happy to be safe on the ground”.

“It wasn’t scary, it was unusual but obviously we fly a lot as politicians,” she said.

“I’ve never had a cabin fill with smoke quite like that before.

“Hats off to the Qantas staff who were cool calm and collected and got us back on the ground safely.”

The Nightly has reached out to Qantas for comment.

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