The Queensland police jet carrying most of Queensland's top police and emergency services leaders has made an emergency return in Brisbane this morning after a mid-air drama on the way to Townsville.

The early morning flight carrying Queensland Police Minister Mark Ryan, Commissioner Ian Stewart and Emergency Services Commissioner Katarina Carroll was near Gladstone when it suddenly plummeted, dropping altitude rapidly.

Those onboard reported loud banging and the smell of smoke.

The 19-year-old Cessna Citation twin jet landed safely back in Brisbane with those on board having to abandon the plan to join the Premier in Townsville for Australia Day.

The group of senior police and emergency services personnel on the tarmac with firefighters after the emergency landing. ( Supplied )

Mr Ryan said it was a frightening experience.

"But I knew the fantastic and highly experienced pilots of the Government Air Wing were in control. I'm grateful to them for their professionalism, skill, reassurance, and calmness," Mr Ryan said.

Corrective Services Commissioner Peter Martin and head of Maritime Safety Queensland Captain Patrick Quirk were also on board.

Queensland Police Service Commissioner Ian Stewart (L) and Police Minister Mark Ryan were onboard the flight. ( ABC News: Patrick Williams )

A government spokesman said Commissioner Stewart directed the other passengers to follow emergency procedures as the pilots turned the plane around and flew at low altitude and slow speed back to Brisbane.

A police spokesman described the incident as a "technical issue" with a "rapid controlled descent" which had a normal landing procedure.

The plane had taken off at 5:50am and was met at the Government Air Wing by several fire trucks and representatives of Brisbane Airport Corporation just after 7:00am.

Speaking from Townsville, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she was thankful everyone was OK.

"I want to pay tribute to the pilots who took the correct course of action and thankfully there were no injuries," she said on Friday.

"But once again it does remind us that Queensland is a big state and when we undertake our duties people are flying the length and breadth of our state.

"So of course they are deeply apologetic that they weren't here today but safety is the number one priority."

Commissioner Ian Stewart has thanked the highly experienced pilots for their calm and professional management of the situation.

Chief operating officer of the Public Safety Business Agency Peter Griffin confirmed the pilots maintained control of the aircraft at all times and a detailed report has been submitted to safety authorities.

An investigation will be conducted into the cause of the incident.