Emergency response at Narita: Singapore Airlines plane smoke incident leads to runway closure

On August 12, 2024, a Singapore Airlines flight faced an unexpected challenge upon landing at Tokyo's Narita International Airport. The incident, which involved a report of smoke emanating from the plane, led to the temporary closure of one of the airport's runways, causing a ripple effect of delays and a swift emergency response. This article delves into the details of the incident, its impact, and the subsequent response from authorities and Singapore Airlines.

Flight SQ638, operated by Singapore Airlines, was a Boeing 787-10 aircraft carrying 260 passengers and 16 crew members. As the plane landed at Narita International Airport at approximately 7:38 a.m. local time, white smoke was observed coming from the left engine. This prompted immediate action from airport authorities and emergency services. Six fire engines and two ambulances were dispatched to the scene to assess the situation and ensure passenger safety.

A Narita city fire official reported, "We received a report of white smoke rising from the left engine." Despite the alarming sight, no fire was detected, and there were no injuries reported among passengers or crew members.

Runway Closure and Immediate Response

The presence of smoke led to the closure of Runway B at Narita Airport for approximately 50 minutes, starting from around 7:40 a.m. local time. This temporary closure was necessary to allow emergency services to thoroughly inspect the aircraft and ensure that there were no further risks.

During this time, responders found no evidence of fire, and the situation was deemed safe after an hour of observation. The aircraft was subsequently towed away from the runway, and normal airport operations resumed shortly thereafter.

Technical Issue and Resolution

The incident was attributed to a "technical issue" with the aircraft's brakes, as confirmed by a spokesperson for Singapore Airlines. The airline's ground engineering team quickly addressed the problem by replacing one of the plane's tires. This swift action minimized the disruption and allowed the affected aircraft to be cleared for future flights.

In a statement, Singapore Airlines expressed regret for the inconvenience caused by the incident, emphasizing that "the safety of customers and staff is the airline's top priority." The airline also confirmed that the subsequent flight, SQ637, was delayed by just over two hours, departing Narita Airport for Singapore at 1:28 p.m. local time.

Passenger Experience and Safety Measures

Passengers aboard flight SQ638 experienced minimal disruption during the incident. The quick response and transparent communication from both the airline and airport authorities ensured that passengers were kept informed and safe throughout the process. The absence of injuries and the efficient handling of the situation underscored the effectiveness of emergency protocols in place at Narita Airport.

Impact on Airport Operations

The temporary closure of Runway B at Narita Airport had a cascading effect on other flights scheduled to land and take off during that time. However, the swift resolution of the incident minimized the overall impact on airport operations. Airport officials and Singapore Airlines coordinated closely to manage the situation and restore normalcy as quickly as possible.

The incident involving the Singapore Airlines flight at Narita International Airport serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges faced by the aviation industry. Despite the initial alarm caused by the sight of smoke, the effective response from emergency services and the airline ensured that the situation was resolved without any harm to passengers or crew. The incident highlights the importance of robust safety protocols and the ability of airlines and airports to handle unexpected situations efficiently.