Jetstar flight from Melbourne to Launceston forced to abort take-off after a latch on the plane was left open

A Jetstar flight was forced to make an emergency stop on the runway just before take-off after a lock on the plane was left open.

The airline’s flight JQ739 from Melbourne to Launceston on Saturday was reportedly “barrel down the runway” when the pilot aborted take-off and brought the plane to an abrupt halt.

It is understood that the door of a small communications panel on the underside of the plane near the wheels had been left open.

The ground crew uses the communication panel to connect their headsets.

Flight radar data showed how the airline aborted the first takeoff attempt (pictured)

“We barreled straight down the runway in Melbourne for take off and then the pilot literally hit the brakes because apparently air traffic control told them a door was open on the plane when they were trying to take off,” one passenger said. Herald Sun.

Another passenger said the pilot was alerted to the lock by the flight controls seconds before they were about to take off.

‘We were going to get it on the runway, but we had to (make an) emergency stop. They hit the brakes. Someone from the tower said the door was open,” the passenger said.

Jetstar said the Airbus A320 was traveling at low speed before it stopped.

“The captain aborted take-off at low speed when a small 10cm x 20cm hatch at the front of the aircraft was open,” an airline spokesman said.

“The open hatch has no influence on the safety of the aircraft in flight. The aircraft took off shortly afterwards and has since arrived in Launceston.’

Melbourne Airport said the plane was turned around moments before take-off.

“After taxiing to the runway, flight JQ739 aborted take-off and returned to the gate this afternoon due to a technical problem,” a spokesman said.

“The issue resulted in a flight delay of just under an hour and a half, with the aircraft taking off safely at 4.41pm.”