26-year-old Qantas Dash 8 catches fire at Sydney Airport

A Qantas Dash 8-200 caught fire at Sydney airport on Tuesday shortly after landing, leading to 24 passengers evacuating via its front stairs. The QantasLink Flight 265 had just arrived from Lord Howe Island at 5:40 pm on Tuesday, 8 November. Smoke was seen billowing from 26-year-old VH-TQS’s rear tyres before flames erupted on the rear tyres of the aircraft. Emergency services arrived at the scene and extinguished the fire shortly after those on board were evacuated. No passengers were injured in the incident, with many appearing relatively unfazed during the evacuation in footage posted to social media. QantasLink CEO, Petrea Bradford, said, “Passengers on a flight from Lord Howe Island to Sydney were evacuated following reports of flames near the tyres after the aircraft had landed safely. “We appreciate this would have been unsettling for passengers, and we thank them and our crew for evacuating in a calm and orderly manner. Airport fire crews attended, passengers will be bussed to the terminal, and engineers will inspect the aircraft.”<br/>