AUCKLAND- An Air New Zealand (NZ) flight NZ5202 departed from Blenheim Woodbourne Airport (BHE) to Auckland (AKL), changed course, and landed in New Plymouth (NPL) on Tuesday, April 8, at about 7 pm, after the crew detected a “strange odor” in the cabin.
The Air New Zealand (NZ) aircraft was registered as ZK-NFB and was a De Havilland Canada Dash 8-300 aircraft. Upon landing, authorities questioned one male passenger in connection with the incident.
Photo- Biponacci; Wikimedia CommonsAir New Zealand Flight Diverted
The Air New Zealand Flight NZ5202 took off from Blenheim Woodbourne Airport (BHE) in the South Island of New Zealand at 17:59 local time towards Auckland (AKL) when a strange odor spread in the cabin. This prompted an emergency, and the flight was diverted to New Plymouth Airport (NPL).
The diverted flight prompted emergency services to respond to New Plymouth Airport (NPL) around 7 pm, after landing. Fire and Emergency New Zealand personnel confirmed they were called to the scene as part of standard safety protocols for unexpected aircraft landings.
A police spokesperson said on Tuesday night that they had spoken to a man who was on board the flight.
Photo- FlightRadar24Source of Odor and Passenger Discomfort
A Passenger named Cally McKenzie described RNZ and how the situation unfolded during what began as a routine flight. Passengers were still enjoying their in-flight snacks when they noticed the aircraft beginning to descend unexpectedly.
“We were told when we landed by the stewardess and then by the pilot that because there was a fuel smell through the air vents, they had to take precautions, and the plane was landing so it could be checked.”
Cally McKenzie, Passenger on Air New Zealand Flight NZ5202
Cally first thought someone had activated an air vent, causing aviation fuel odors to circulate through the cabin. Multiple passengers seated ahead of her expressed concerns about the unpleasant smell.
She initially assumed the plane would quickly resume its journey after a brief inspection. “I thought it was just going to be, they would clear us and we would take off,” she said. “But, not knowing the source of the smell was, they grounded the [airplane] and canceled the flight.”
Photo- XPinger (Chris Sutton) | FlickrPassenger Travel Disruption
Several passengers faced significant travel disruptions after the unplanned landing. McKenzie reported that a few travelers managed to catch the final flight to Auckland (AKL) on Tuesday evening. Many would depart the following morning.
One passenger named Eric expressed frustration about missing his connection to Hawaii (HNL). His flight only operated 3 times weekly. “They’re going to put us up, and they’re putting us on a flight tomorrow, but we’ve missed our flight that only goes three times a week, so we’re f*****,” he explained, noting his return home was now delayed until Thursday.
Another traveler mentioned she wasn’t informed about what caused the odor even after disembarking. Despite the uncertainty, she maintained her composure during the flight, remarking, “What can you do when you’re up there? Come on, if something happens, you’re done.”
Photo- Air New ZealandAir New Zealand Statement
Hugh Pearce, Air New Zealand’s head of flight operations, explained that the cause of the disruption was discovered after the plane safely landed.
“Upon arrival in New Plymouth, it was discovered that the odor was caused by an item found in a customer’s carry-on luggage,” Pearce stated. “We thank customers on board for their patience and understanding as we work to get them to their destination.”
Hugh Pearce assured that the airline was working to help affected passengers reach their intended destinations.
Photo- Air New ZealandSimilar Incidents
This is not the first time unusual odors have caused flight diversions. In recent years, several commercial flights worldwide have been diverted due to unexplained smells in the cabin. These incidents often trigger emergency protocols as crews prioritize passenger safety.
In 2023, a United Airlines (UA) flight from Newark (EWR) to Venice (VCE) made an emergency landing in Maine after passengers and crew detected a burning smell. The source was later identified as an electronic device in a passenger’s bag that had overheated.
Similarly, a British Airways (BA) flight from London (LHR) to Valencia (VLC) in 2022 was diverted when smoke filled the cabin, causing passenger distress. Investigators determined that a malfunctioning air conditioning system released oil particles into the cabin air supply.
Photo: British AirwaysBottom Line
Aviation safety experts emphasize that while most odor-related incidents turn out to be benign, airlines maintain strict protocols for any unexplained smells, especially those resembling fuel or burning materials, as they could indicate potentially serious mechanical problems.
Air New Zealand (NZ) has not released further details about arrangements made for affected passengers to reach their intended destination in Auckland (AKL).
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