Runway 1 of Changi Airport was shut for several hours and a number of flights delayed, after the South Korean air force jet skidded and crashed during the Singapore Airshow.
SINGAPORE: An aircraft that was taking part in the Singapore Airshow caught fire after an accident at Changi Airport on Tuesday (Feb 6) afternoon, causing temporary delays to other planes.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) said that at 1.24pm, an aircraft from the Black Eagles aerobatic team from the Republic of Korea Air Force skidded and crashed into the grass verge at the side of Changi Airport's Runway 1 and caught fire.
The aircraft was taking off for the flying display programme at the Singapore Airshow when the incident happened, CAAS said.
"The pilot sustained light injuries and is being treated," it added.
Eyewitness Gerald Searle, 51, was at the airport waiting for his flight to Australia when he saw the accident.
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"I saw the plane spin sideways, flip over and then slide down the runway upside down," said Mr Searle. "It burst into flames, though most at the rear."
Close-up photos, which appear to have been taken from the runway, have emerged online. They show the KAI T-50 Golden Eagle plane lying upside down on the grass which is covered with white foam.
A South Korean plane taking part in the Singapore Airshow 2018 skidded and crashed at Changi Airport on Tuesday (Feb 6). (Photo: Facebook / Mohamed Akbar)
In an advisory posted on its Facebook page, Changi Aiport Group (CAG) said that the airport's emergency service put out the fire.
Runway 1 was closed, with CAG pointing out that a number of departure and arrival flights would be be delayed over the following few hours.
"We apologise for any inconvenience caused," it said.
#ADVISORY: (1/2) The damaged aircraft has been removed from Runway 1 and restoration of the runway has commenced. In order for flight operations to resume safely, the runway will be thoroughly checked and cleaned up to ensure it is safe and ready for operations. — Changi Airport (@ChangiAirport) February 6, 2018
Later in the evening, the airport authorities said Runway 1 had reopened. They added: "We are doing our best to return to normal flight operations as soon as possible."
Thai Airways flight TG414, which was scheduled to depart at 3.55pm for Bangkok, was delayed until 7pm. The flight was delayed as the incoming aircraft could not land because of the incident, Channel NewsAsia understands.
According to the Changi Airport website, a number of AirAsia flights were also delayed by about two to three hours, including flight AK706 to Kuala Lumpur, flight FD356 to Bangkok and flight QZ362 to Bandung.
Other delayed flights include a Lion Air departure to Jakarta (JT155) and a SilkAir flight to Penang (MI352).
The South Korean Air Force has launched an investigation into the cause of the accident as well as the potential damage caused, according to a report by Yonhap News Agency.
Flight delays at Changi Airport are expected on Tuesday (Feb 6) after an aircraft belonging to Korea's Black Eagles aerobatic team skidded and crashed into the grass verge along Runway 1.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), the incident happened at 1.24pm, when the aircraft was taking off for the flying display programme at the Singapore Airshow 2018.
The plane burst into flames and the fire was put out by the Airport Emergency Service. CAAS said the pilot sustained light injuries and is being treated.
Runway 1 will be closed to further notice, it added.
on Facebook Just watched this plane crash at Changi Airport Singapore Posted by Gerald Searle on Monday, 5 February 2018
Changi Airport Group (CAG) announced at 3.12pm that a number of departure and arrival flights will be delayed over the next few hours.
"Passengers are advised to check latest flight information on changiairport.com or the iChangi app," it said.
on Facebook #ADVISORY: An aircraft taking part in the Singapore Airshow was involved in an incident on Changi Airport Runway 1 at... Posted by Changi Airport on Monday, 5 February 2018
Singapore Airshow plane skids and crashes at Changi Airport runway, catches fire Open gallery
on Facebook I’m now stuck in the aircraft along with restless and annoyed passengers. I hope nobody is badly injured in the midst... Posted by Hylman Nathaniel Nash on Monday, 5 February 2018
a1admin@sph.com.sg
A plane crash caused flights in and out of Changi Airport to be delayed this (6 Feb) afternoon. The aircraft which skidded and crashed into the grass verge at the side of Changi’s Runway 1 is part of the South Korean aerobatic team participating in the Singapore Airshow.
In the incident which happened at about 1.24pm, the single-seater T-50 Golden Eagle plane caught fire but the pilot from the Republic of Korea Air Force’s Black Eagles team managed to escape with light injuries.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) said that the incident happened when the aircraft was taking off for a flying display as part of the programme at the Airshow.
“Airport Emergency Service responded to the incident immediately and the fire was extinguished. The pilot sustained light injuries and is being treated. Runway 1 will be closed until further notice,” CAAS added.
Changi Airport’s tweet said that the delays from the airport is expected to last over the next few hours. Passengers were advised to check the latest flight info online or in the iChangi app.
It assured passengers that their customer service teams are on ground to provide assistance if needed.
Videos circulating in social media showed the plane skidding, crashing and bursting into flames.
The T-50 aircraft is a supersonic advanced trainer and light combat aircraft developed indigenously in South Korea by the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) with Lockheed Martin.
