QantasLink Boeing B717-200 VH-NXH Finally Departs Rockhampton Airport After Getting Bogged Last Week

On Monday 18 July, QantasLink Boeing B717-200 VH-NXH was photographed finally departing Rockhampton Airport bound for Brisbane as QJE6217.

As widely reported - and on a daily basis by us(!) - during the evening last Monday 11 July, VH-NXH became bogged on some grass while taxiing in after landing at Rockhampton Airport as QJE1798 from Brisbane.

According to a Qantas spokesperson, the aircraft was taxiing at low speed to the parking bay when the pilot "inadvertently guided the aircraft across soft ground and became stuck just before the terminal".

The passengers on board were able to disembark normally via the stairs on the tarmac.

Over the course then of the week, various attempts were made to free the B717 from the mud.  And finally on Sunday 17 July, it was able to lifted and towed out of the mud, reportedly using airbags, along with an aircraft tug which was brought up from Brisbane.

Sincere thanks to the local plane spotters and photographers for taking the time to capture and send through their great photos!

Photos taken by Scott Harris, Russell Prothero, Don Williams and Kayanne Hardsman  ©