A Qantas jet was stranded in Bangkok Friday after crew were forced to shut down one engine, the latest headache for an airline troubled by rising costs and the threat of strikes. The Boeing 747 carrying 308 passengers had been bound for London, but turned back to the Thai capital shortly after take-off after pilots shut down one of its four engines due to "an increase in vibration and high temperatures".
"The pilots shut down this engine and as a precaution returned to Bangkok," a Qantas spokesman said. "The aircraft can safely fly on three engines and it had a normal landing in Bangkok not long afterwards. "We believe the cause is similar to events that other airlines are experiencing and is subject to an increased monitoring program from the manufacturer Rolls Royce."