In Short

Emergency Diversion: Flight ZL6469 diverted to Parkes after an in-flight shutdown of the right-hand engine (General Electric CT7-9B).

Investigation Launched: The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is currently assessing the electrical fault and engine failure.

Service Resumed: The aircraft, a 35-year-old Saab 340B, returned to service approximately 36 hours after the incident following maintenance checks.

Passengers on a Sunday evening Rex service from Griffith to Sydney faced a tense situation after their aircraft suffered a mid-air engine shutdown. Flight ZL6469, operated by a Saab 340B (VH-RXE), was forced to divert to Parkes following an electrical fault that impacted the aircraft’s right-hand systems.

The incident occurred during the cruise phase of the flight on February 22. Pilots detected abnormal indications on the No. 2 engine and followed standard safety protocols to shut it down. Despite the drama, the twin-engine turboprop landed safely at Parkes Airport, and all passengers and crew disembarked without injury.

While the Saab 340B is a workhorse of the Australian skies, this incident highlights the ongoing need for rigorous maintenance of aging fleets.

Aviation experts reassure travellers that pilots undergo extensive simulator training for single-engine operations. Modern turboprops are engineered to climb, cruise, and land safely on a single functioning engine.

ATSB Statement: A formal investigation into the occurrence is being considered as the bureau awaits further technical data from the operator.

The aircraft involved, VH-RXE, has been part of the regional fleet since the early 1990s and is one of the older frames currently flying regional routes in NSW.