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4 sources checked · 2 source groups included · 3h ago

Still Watching

Qantas plane diverted after suspected engine issue

Stuff (New Zealand) and The Sydney Morning Herald describe the same event in different terms.

2 Left2 Center0 Right
Still watching. Optics is waiting for a cleaner match before calling the split.

STILL WATCHING

As of September 5, 2026 at 8:20 AM, this is how Optics News reads the wording differences in this story.

What happened Qantas plane bound for Sydney from Queenstown, New Zealand was diverted to Christchurch after flames appeared to sputter from the engine.
The headline split The left frames it as "Watch: Passenger plane diverts after flames seen, loud bangs heard from engine". The center frames it as "Flames seen, loud bangs heard as Qantas jet leaves Queenstown".
Match confidence Medium confidence. 4 sources across 2 bias buckets. Useful framing signal — check the source list before sharing.
Same-event confidenceMedium

4 sources across 2 bias buckets agree on the event.

Framing confidenceModerate

63/99 — meaningful wording shift across the spectrum.

WHAT EACH SIDE EMPHASIZED

Left / center-leftWatch: Passenger plane diverts after flames seen, loud bangs heard from engine

Stuff (New Zealand) · Center-left · News report

CenterQantas plane diverted after suspected engine issue

The Sydney Morning Herald · Center · News report

Right / center-rightNo matching source in this bucket yet.

Optics keeps watching for pickup.

SEE THE HEADLINES

Center-leftMostly Factual
Stuff (New Zealand)News report · Sep 5, 4:54 AM

Watch: Passenger plane diverts after flames seen, loud bangs heard from engine

Residents living near Queenstown Airport reportedly ran outside to see what was going on after hearing loud bangs coming from an aircraft.

Open source
CenterHigh
The Sydney Morning HeraldNews report · Sep 5, 8:20 AM

Qantas plane diverted after suspected engine issue

Qantas plane bound for Sydney from Queenstown, New Zealand was diverted to Christchurch after flames appeared to sputter from the engine.

Open source
Center-leftMostly Factual
The Age (Australia)News report · Sep 5, 8:20 AM

Qantas plane diverted after suspected engine issue

Qantas plane bound for Sydney from Queenstown, New Zealand was diverted to Christchurch after flames appeared to sputter from the engine.

Open source
CenterHigh
The New Zealand HeraldNews report · Sep 5, 8:01 AM

Flames seen, loud bangs heard as Qantas jet leaves Queenstown

Kiwi nurse used on-board Wi-Fi to send video to her kids 'just in case' amid scary ordeal.

Open source
Details63/99 Wording Gap · Medium confidence · 4 sources
63/99 Wording GapMedium confidence4 sources · 2 bias bucketsLive match · 4 sources · 2 buckets · comparable news formatFormats: News report

SOURCE MAP CHANGES

Sep 5, 4:54 AM: Stuff (New Zealand) joined the source map.

Sep 5, 8:01 AM: The New Zealand Herald joined the source map.

Sep 5, 8:20 AM: The Sydney Morning Herald joined the source map.

Sep 5, 8:20 AM: The Age (Australia) joined the source map.

Now: Wording Gap is 63/99 and story health is live match · 4 sources · 2 buckets · comparable news format.