Aircraft Incident at Changi Airport

 10 September 2023

          On 10 September 2023, at about 1559 hours, an Air China flight (CA403) flying to Singapore Changi Airport from Chengdu, China, reported smoke in the forward cargo hold and lavatory, declared emergency and requested priority landing. CA403 was given priority and landed on Changi Airport Runway 3 at about 1615 hours. 

2        After landing, emergency slides of the aircraft were deployed for expeditious evacuation. The Airport Emergency Services (AES) responded immediately to the incident and put out a fire in the left engine of the aircraft at about 1625 hours.

3        There were 146 passengers and 9 crew on board. All passengers and crew were evacuated safely and ferried by bus to the terminal. Nine passengers sustained minor injuries related to smoke inhalation and abrasions during the evacuation process. They have since been attended to. Air China and Changi Airport Group are providing assistance to all passengers and crew.

4        Arising from this incident, Runway 3 was temporarily closed. The disabled aircraft was towed away at about 1800 hours. Runway 3 reopened at about 1902 hours, following runway checks. One aircraft was diverted to Batam, Indonesia, during the period of the runway closure.

5        The Transport Safety Investigation Bureau is investigating the incident and has contacted its Chinese counterpart who will be assisting with the investigation.