Air New Zealand flight back after plane & # 39; hit something & # 39;

An Air New Zealand plane would have returned in mid-flight tonight after "hit something."

The flight, NZ 5759 from Christchurch to Dunedin, landed safely after returning to Christchurch International Airport around 8pm, said one passenger aboard the flight.

"Stewardesses said we hit something and we needed to come back to be checked," the man said.

Air New Zealand has not yet responded to the request for comments.

A woman waiting to catch the passenger in Dunedin said the plane had to turn around.

"He said he tried to find out what they got, but he was not lucky. He says there was no obstacle or any indication that they would hit anything.

"He said they were halfway to Dunedin and at cruising altitude before the announcement was made and they returned to Christchurch."

Flight Radar 24 showed the flight that departed from Christchurch at 7:12 p.m., returning at 7:40 p.m.