Air New Zealand is likening an engine problem experienced by a plane taking off from Auckland airport on Thursday to a car backfiring.
The Perth-bound flight, carrying 206 passengers, was forced to turn back after takeoff because of a problem with its left engine.
The airline says airflow to the Boeing 767-300 engine was interrupted and had to be shut off.
It says there is no evidence that bird strike is to blame for the problem, and no damage to the engine itself.
Air New Zealand says the component responsible for controlling airflow has been removed and sent away to be tested.
