POLICE JET INCIDENT

The Queensland Police jet made an emergency landing in Brisbane this morning.

The Cessna 560 Citation aircraft experienced ‘technical issues’ during a flight from Brisbane to Townsville with six passengers and two pilots on board.

The passengers included Police Minister Mark Ryan, Police Commissioner Ian Stewart, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Katarina Carroll, Corrective Services Commissioner Peter Martin, the head of Maritime Safety Queensland Captain Patrick Quirk and a government policy advisor.

They were travelling from Brisbane to Townsville to join Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk for Australia Day ceremonies.

The pilots turned the plane around and flew at low altitude back to Brisbane.

The plane was met at the Government Air Wing by several fire appliances and representatives of Brisbane Airport Corporation just after 7am.

An investigation will be conducted into the cause of the incident. 

Minister Ryan said it was a frightening experience.

“But I knew the fantastic and highly experienced pilots of the Government Air Wing were in control,” Minister Ryan said.

“I’m grateful to them for their professionalism, skill, reassurance, and calmness,” Minister Ryan said.