Virgin Australia flight from Queenstown, NZ to Melbourne makes an emergency landing

A Virgin Australia flight from New Zealand bound for Melbourne has made an emergency landing after a suspected bird strike.

Flight VA148, which was carrying 67 passengers and six crew members, left Queenstown at 6pm local time but had to be diverted to Invercargill about 50 minutes later.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Aircraft travelling from New Zealand to Melbourne makes emergency landing.

Flight tracking data shows the plane made two loops about 30km north of Invercargill before continuing towards the southern coast of the South Island.

It then turned around and made the emergency landing.

One man who saw the plane fly over his house in Queenstown said it sounded like a car was backfiring “every second or two”.

“I was just making my dinner and I thought there was a car literally outside my window,” Hamish Walker told 7NEWS.

A passenger on board the plane said the mood was calm, but that people were “a tad shaken”.

“On the ground as fire crews inspect the plane,” they wrote on social media.

“Pilots did an awesome job flying on one engine while cabin crew made sure that we were secure.”

‘Possible bird strike’

In a statement, Virgin Australia Chief Operations Officer Stuart Aggs said the plane had experienced a “possible bird strike” after departing from Queenstown Airport.

“At this time, we are not aware of any physical injuries to guests or crew. Emergency services personnel are on the ground at Invercargill Airport,” it said.

“Our efforts are now focused on providing support for our guests and crew, as well as transporting and accommodating guests in Invercargill this evening and arranging for their earliest onward travel to Australia.

“We wish to express our appreciation for the support of Invercargill Airport, Emergency Services, local Air New Zealand team members and our crew onboard in helping to support tonight’s response effort.”