Virgin blue plane's emergency landing

Flight DJ 807 from Melbourne to Sydney turned back when the captain noticed a strange odour in the cabin less than 30 minutes after take-off, Virgin Blue spokesman Colin Lippiatt said.

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The Boeing 737 aircraft, carrying 122 passengers and six crew members, landed safely at Melbourne Airport at 7.16am.

‘‘Just after take-off this morning the captain detected a bit of a smell in the cabin and as a precautionary measure he notified the airport that he wanted to return to have it checked out to see what it was,’’ Mr Lippiatt said.

‘‘The aircraft was airborne less than half an hour. It is already back at the airport, it landed without incident.

‘‘Passengers were disembarked and engineers are now checking out the aircraft.’’

Emergency services were put on high alert as the flight circled back towards the airport.

A Metropolitan Fire Brigade spokesman said the flight crew initially reported a smell of smoke in the cockpit and 11 fire trucks were sent to the scene.

Two paramedic crews were also on standby.

Andrew de Ridder, a passenger on board the flight, said the cabin smelled like burning plastic.

‘‘We circled in the air for about 20 minutes, then we landed back in Melbourne,’’ he said.

‘‘The crew kept us well informed, and we were glad to be back on the ground. We are currently in the terminal awaiting further news.’’

He had been told a new engine installed on the plane may have caused the unusual smell.

Mr Lippiatt said all passengers would be put on alternative flights to Sydney today.

The cause of the odour is under investigation.