Emirates Airbus flies from Dubais to Australia with big hole in exterior

A recent Emirates flight that began in Dubai concluded safely in Brisbane, Australia, 14 hours later, despite a huge hole in the side of the aircraft.

The flight occurred July 1 in an Airbus A380, according to CNN. 

The large hole initially stunned passengers, but the crew’s realization that the hole was not catastrophic and their calm demeanor was "reassuring," a passenger told the news outlet.

The hole was the result of a ruptured tire caused by a "technical fault" during the journey, according to the airline.

How long the plane was in flight before the mishap remains unclear, but some reports suggest it was about 45 minutes.

At least some of the passengers apparently didn’t discover the hole until departing the plane. 

Commercial aviation website Aviation Herald reports air traffic controllers at Brisbane Airport were advised of  the situation before the plane landed and that the crew requested emergency services to meet the flight upon landing, CNN also reports.

Emirates also said the damage was to a "small portion" of "an outer panel or the skin of the aircraft."