Malaysia Airlines is saying sorry after take-off issues on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Auckland on New Years' Day left some passengers fearing for their lives. Serjit Singh, from Auckland, was on board the flight MH145 due to leave Malaysia at 8.45pm on January 1. He said the flight took off on time, hurtling "full throttle" down the runway, before coming to an abrupt stop just before the wheels were about to lift off. Singh said the plane skidded on the tarmac, lurching passengers forward in their seats: "I thought we were goners". He said he thought there was an oncoming plane landing, and that they could have crashed. The pilot reportedly told passengers there was an "instrument issue" and he would need to pull the plane back to the gate. It was three hours before they were allowed to disembark, during which a number of engineers made their way on board, Singh said. One passenger was so distressed he reportedly had a panic attack and was escorted off the plane by paramedics, Singh told Stuff. Singh said passengers were advised to come back to the airport the following morning, for a 10am departure. As they boarded the flight, he said he asked a flight attendant if it was the same plane. He said he was told it was, but that the plane was in "good condition, and they would arrive in Auckland safely". However, shortly before taking off, the plane again came to an abrupt stop, leaving him "in shock and utter disbelief", Singh said. Singh said passengers were allowed off the plane and were later told at the gate that the issue was being fixed. They all refused to get back onto a plane "not fit to fly" and "risk their lives", he said.<br/>