An AirAsia flight has been forced to turn back to Perth after an engine reportedly failed and an explosion was heard mid flight.
Flight D7237 departed Perth Airport's international complex at 6.50am on Sunday morning bound for Kuala Lumpur, with 359 passengers on board.
![The AirAsia flight was bound for Kuala Lumpur.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170626200059im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/g/2/m/8/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gwy0vw.png/1498375771082.jpg)
The decision to turn back was made as the flight passed over Shark Bay, about one hour and 15 minutes into the flight.
Passengers said the captain announced that there appeared to have been an engine seizure on the left side, and they would be returning to Perth.
Passenger Sophie Nicolas said it was a terrifying ordeal and she could tell it was "really bad", judging by the cabin crew's reaction.
"He [the flight captain] said 'I hope you all say a prayer; I will be saying a prayer too and let's hope we all get back home safely,' " she told reporters.
Passengers Mitch Jamieson and Damos Stevens filmed the plane shuddering mid-flight, and one passenger told ABC News the aircraft was "shaking like a washing machine".
"It's not looking great … I'll be having about 60 million beers when we land," one of the men could be heard saying.
Passengers were reportedly told to practise the brace position for landing.
Emergency services were called to respond to a possible "abnormal landing", and it is understood marine emergency services were put on standby for a possible water landing.
The A330 flight PER-KUL landed safely at Perth Airport at 10am without incident.
"Passengers are being attended to by our ground staff upon landing and all necessary assistance are being provided," a spokeswoman said.
"Flight crew are taking precautionary measures to check the aircraft and some guests on board the flight will be transferred to the next available flight today.
"Other guests will be informed of the progress of the flight. The safety of our guests are our utmost priority."
With AAP