Singapore Airlines flight from Melbourne to Changi turns back after technical issue

A SINGAPORE Airlines (SIA) flight bound for the Republic from Melbourne returned to Melbourne Airport on Wednesday (Oct 29) after the aircraft experienced a technical issue while in the air.

In a media reply, the national carrier said Flight SQ228 returned to the Australian airport shortly after take-off, and it had dumped fuel to land within the landing weight.

The airline did not provide details of the issue faced on board.

The Boeing 777, carrying 219 passengers and 17 crew members, landed uneventfully at 5.47pm local time (2.47pm in Singapore) on Oct 29, said SIA. The flight had departed at 4.35pm local time.

All passengers and crew disembarked normally, it added.

The passengers were provided with meal vouchers while the airline’s ground engineering team is trying to resolve the issue, said SIA.

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“SIA sincerely apologises to all affected customers for any inconvenience caused.

“The safety of our customers and crew is always our top priority,” it said.

According to Flightradar24, a flight data site, the aircraft circled around the north of the Australian city before it headed back to the airport.

Several media outlets in Australia reported on the flight diversion, with one showing the aircraft landing safely at the airport.

“Shortly after take-off, the flight made the decision to return to Melbourne Airport due to a technical issue,” a Melbourne Airport spokesmen told 7News.

“The plane landed under normal conditions... before taxiing safely to the gate.”

People who saw the scene called Melbourne news and talk station 3AW about the plane flying low over the eastern suburbs.

“It just flew over our house a few minutes ago. It was so low, you could see wheels down and I just waved at all the passengers as they went overhead. I’ve never seen a plane that low before. It was scary,” said a caller who identified himself as Sam.

“We saw it do a turn really low and I looked it up, it was at (2km above us) dumping fuel and, yeah, redirecting back to Melbourne,” another caller named Gordon said.

Several people posted footage on social media of the Boeing 777 plane flying with two white smoky trails emanating from the wings.

Facebook user All Areas Chauffeur Services posted a video of the plane, writing: “Was outside mowing the grass and heard a loud plane... Zooming in you can see half of the landing gear has failed to retract, I’m wondering if this was the issue?”

An average direct flight from Melbourne to Singapore takes about seven hours and 45 minutes. THE STRAITS TIMES