Rudi
Oct 31, 00, 10:10 am
BREAKING NEWS from CNN.com
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Singapore Airlines jetliner crashes at airport in Taipei, Taiwan.
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Singapore Airlines jetliner crashes at airport in Taipei, Taiwan.
Newsstand - Singapore Airlines jetliner crashes at airport in Taipei, Taiwan
View Full Version : Singapore Airlines jetliner crashes at airport in Taipei, Taiwan
Craig6z
Oct 31, 00, 10:12 am
It is Flight 6 from Taipei to LAX.
jeffreyt
Oct 31, 00, 10:16 am
“The plane burst into flames and exploded shortly after takeoff. It hit a China Airlines plane on the tarmac,” an official told Reuters.
STRONG WINDS seemed to have forced the plane down and there was an explosion, emergency official Wu Bi-chang said.
A typhoon was expected to hit the island early Wednesday morning. Heavy rains have already begun soaking Taiwan’s capital, Taipei.
STRONG WINDS seemed to have forced the plane down and there was an explosion, emergency official Wu Bi-chang said.
A typhoon was expected to hit the island early Wednesday morning. Heavy rains have already begun soaking Taiwan’s capital, Taipei.
geo1004
Oct 31, 00, 10:35 am
FYI, there are no October/November FlyerTalk Itineraries that match this flight.
CNN is reporting survivors taken to local hospitals.
[This message has been edited by geo1004 (edited 10-31-2000).]
CNN is reporting survivors taken to local hospitals.
[This message has been edited by geo1004 (edited 10-31-2000).]
seawolf
Oct 31, 00, 10:35 am
I was going to take a similar flight back in June. It is a 744.
============================================
Singapore Airlines 747 crashes in Taiwan
November 1, 2000
Web posted at: 12:25 a.m. HKT (1625 GMT)
TAIPEI, Taiwan (CNN) -- A Singapore Airlines Boeing 747 bound for Los Angeles crashed during takeoff late Tuesday from Chiang Kai-Shek International Airport in Taipei, Taiwan.
Taiwanese aviation officials say 179 passengers and crew were aboard Flight 006.
TVBS Correspondent Jason Blatt tells CNN that the jetliner exploded after crashing during rainy and windy weather.
Blatt quotes Taiwan officials who describe the crash as "very serious."
Fire and other emergency crews rushed to the crash site, Blatt says.
============================================
============================================
Singapore plane crashes in Taiwan
Jetliner, bound for Los Angeles, hits another plane on tarmac
MSNBC NEWS SERVICES
TAIPEI, Taiwan, Oct. 31 — A Singapore Airlines jetliner bound for Los Angeles crashed Tuesday night after taking off in a storm and collided with another aircraft on the tarmac, Taiwanese officials said. As heavy rains soaked Taiwan’s capital, the Boeing 747-400 with 179 people on board “burst into flames and exploded shortly after takeoff,” an official told Reuters.
STRONG WINDS apparently forced down the plane, identified at Flight 0006, and there was an explosion, emergency official Wu Bi-chang said.
There were no immediate reports on casualties.
NBC’s Audrey Kolina reported from Hong Kong that the Singapore Airlines jet slammed into a China Airlines cargo plane on the airport tarmac.
A typhoon was expected to hit the island early Wednesday morning and heavy rains were already soaking the city.
The crash occurred at about 11:18 p.m. local time and rescue workers were being dispatched to the scene at Taipei’s Chiang Kai-shek International Airport, Wu said.
============================================
[This message has been edited by seawolf (edited 10-31-2000).]
============================================
Singapore Airlines 747 crashes in Taiwan
November 1, 2000
Web posted at: 12:25 a.m. HKT (1625 GMT)
TAIPEI, Taiwan (CNN) -- A Singapore Airlines Boeing 747 bound for Los Angeles crashed during takeoff late Tuesday from Chiang Kai-Shek International Airport in Taipei, Taiwan.
Taiwanese aviation officials say 179 passengers and crew were aboard Flight 006.
TVBS Correspondent Jason Blatt tells CNN that the jetliner exploded after crashing during rainy and windy weather.
Blatt quotes Taiwan officials who describe the crash as "very serious."
Fire and other emergency crews rushed to the crash site, Blatt says.
============================================
============================================
Singapore plane crashes in Taiwan
Jetliner, bound for Los Angeles, hits another plane on tarmac
MSNBC NEWS SERVICES
TAIPEI, Taiwan, Oct. 31 — A Singapore Airlines jetliner bound for Los Angeles crashed Tuesday night after taking off in a storm and collided with another aircraft on the tarmac, Taiwanese officials said. As heavy rains soaked Taiwan’s capital, the Boeing 747-400 with 179 people on board “burst into flames and exploded shortly after takeoff,” an official told Reuters.
STRONG WINDS apparently forced down the plane, identified at Flight 0006, and there was an explosion, emergency official Wu Bi-chang said.
There were no immediate reports on casualties.
NBC’s Audrey Kolina reported from Hong Kong that the Singapore Airlines jet slammed into a China Airlines cargo plane on the airport tarmac.
A typhoon was expected to hit the island early Wednesday morning and heavy rains were already soaking the city.
The crash occurred at about 11:18 p.m. local time and rescue workers were being dispatched to the scene at Taipei’s Chiang Kai-shek International Airport, Wu said.
============================================
[This message has been edited by seawolf (edited 10-31-2000).]
Shareholder
Oct 31, 00, 10:52 am
It is now being reported that 18 and possibly more passengers have survived, that the fire is out, and that no second plane was run into. All this according to CBC Newsworld.
greg99
Oct 31, 00, 10:59 am
In an unfortunate coincidence, the LA Times is reporting that the accident at Taipei occured a year to the day after the crash of EgyptAir flight 990, which originated at LAX.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/updates2/ap_crash001031.htm
Thoughts go to those on board and their families.
Greg
http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/updates2/ap_crash001031.htm
Thoughts go to those on board and their families.
Greg
Rudi
Oct 31, 00, 11:01 am
BREAKING NEWS from CNN.com
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-- No fatalities in Singapore Airlines crash.
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-- No fatalities in Singapore Airlines crash.
curt
Oct 31, 00, 11:08 am
SQ says it was an aborted take-off, no fatalities, 30 casualties, none life threatening. Plane is a write-off. Source: SQ spokesman on MSNBC.
SJC2ISP
Oct 31, 00, 11:14 am
Originally posted by Rudi:
BREAKING NEWS from CNN.com
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-- No fatalities in Singapore Airlines crash.
From CNN.com
Thirty people were injured but no one was killed when a Singapore Airlines plane bound for Los Angeles crashed late today shortly after takeoff from Chang Kai-shek International Airport in Taipei, Taiwan. James Boyd, a spokesman for Singapore Airlines, said that "none of the injuries were life-threatening."
Update:
An airline spokesman says everyone survived, but hospital officials say one person had died from crash injuries.
[This message has been edited by SJC2ISP (edited 10-31-2000).]
BREAKING NEWS from CNN.com
=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!
-- No fatalities in Singapore Airlines crash.
From CNN.com
Thirty people were injured but no one was killed when a Singapore Airlines plane bound for Los Angeles crashed late today shortly after takeoff from Chang Kai-shek International Airport in Taipei, Taiwan. James Boyd, a spokesman for Singapore Airlines, said that "none of the injuries were life-threatening."
Update:
An airline spokesman says everyone survived, but hospital officials say one person had died from crash injuries.
[This message has been edited by SJC2ISP (edited 10-31-2000).]
kyklin
Oct 31, 00, 12:48 pm
Reading the Chinese news on a Taiwan web site (TVBS-N, which supplies MSNBC its footage): four confirmed fatalities, 82 injures, 97 missing/unconfirmed. Plane contails a total of 159 passengers and 20 crew members. Most injuries at this point are burns. According to the news, the wind on runway 5 was too strong. Earlier reports had the plane crashing onto a China Airlines cargo plane but that has proven to be incorrect (it fell near the cargo area where many cargo jets are parked).
doc
Oct 31, 00, 12:54 pm
As nearly always in such situations, there are early conflicting reports such as whether or nor there are any fatalities.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/001031/ca_singapo.html
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/001031/dc_singapo.html
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/world/AP-Taiwan-Plane-Crash.html
http://www.msnbc.com/news/483539.asp
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/001031/ca_singapo.html
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/001031/dc_singapo.html
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/world/AP-Taiwan-Plane-Crash.html
http://www.msnbc.com/news/483539.asp
criscokid
Oct 31, 00, 1:14 pm
Information source: http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/dynamic/news/story.html?in_review_id=329992&in_review_text_id=273253
A British survivor of the Singapore Airlines crash tonight described the absolute chaos as he tried in vain to free a fellow passenger from under the tail of the jet as it became engulfed in a fireball.
Strong winds seemed to have forced down Singapore Airlines Flight 006 bound for Los Angeles, carrying 179 passengers, soon after take off. Initial reports suggested one person had died and 96 were missing. Scores were taken to hospital.
There was an explosion as the 747 struck a China Airlines plane on the runway at Taipei's Chiang Kai-shek International Airport in Taiwan, said emergency official Wu Bi-chang.
Briton Paul Blanchon was among the passengers who managed to escape from the broken jet as it lay on the runaway with flames lapping its underbelly.
Mr Blanchon told CNN that he, like many others, was dazed and confused as he tried to help the emergency services to save lives in the driving rain.
"At that point we tried to get as many people out as we could out of the section. There were people still strapped in their seats. We tried to get them down," he said.
"There was a gentleman when I got out of the plane who was trapped underneath the tail section of the plane.
"Obviously we could not lift the tail to get the tail off the ground. There was smoke blowing flames from the other and it was engulfing the tail section.
"We tried to tell the firemen there to make it understood that we needed something to jack this section of the plane to get this guy. But it's very difficult to communicate.
"It seemed like forever for the emergency crews to get there but I'm sure it was only a few minutes. It was a very major disaster."
Mr Blanchon described hearing a noise, then feeling a bump before the plane broke apart.
The passengers were rushed to an emergency treatment room. He said: "There were people there with secondary and third degree burns. There was one woman who died while we were in the emergency room. There were people with cuts and bruises and receiving CPR."
The Los Angeles-bound Flight SQ006 crashed about 11.18pm local time and rescue workers were being sent to the scene, Wu said.
A typhoon was expected to hit the island early tomorrow morning. Heavy rains have already begun soaking Taipei, Taiwan's capital.
A British survivor of the Singapore Airlines crash tonight described the absolute chaos as he tried in vain to free a fellow passenger from under the tail of the jet as it became engulfed in a fireball.
Strong winds seemed to have forced down Singapore Airlines Flight 006 bound for Los Angeles, carrying 179 passengers, soon after take off. Initial reports suggested one person had died and 96 were missing. Scores were taken to hospital.
There was an explosion as the 747 struck a China Airlines plane on the runway at Taipei's Chiang Kai-shek International Airport in Taiwan, said emergency official Wu Bi-chang.
Briton Paul Blanchon was among the passengers who managed to escape from the broken jet as it lay on the runaway with flames lapping its underbelly.
Mr Blanchon told CNN that he, like many others, was dazed and confused as he tried to help the emergency services to save lives in the driving rain.
"At that point we tried to get as many people out as we could out of the section. There were people still strapped in their seats. We tried to get them down," he said.
"There was a gentleman when I got out of the plane who was trapped underneath the tail section of the plane.
"Obviously we could not lift the tail to get the tail off the ground. There was smoke blowing flames from the other and it was engulfing the tail section.
"We tried to tell the firemen there to make it understood that we needed something to jack this section of the plane to get this guy. But it's very difficult to communicate.
"It seemed like forever for the emergency crews to get there but I'm sure it was only a few minutes. It was a very major disaster."
Mr Blanchon described hearing a noise, then feeling a bump before the plane broke apart.
The passengers were rushed to an emergency treatment room. He said: "There were people there with secondary and third degree burns. There was one woman who died while we were in the emergency room. There were people with cuts and bruises and receiving CPR."
The Los Angeles-bound Flight SQ006 crashed about 11.18pm local time and rescue workers were being sent to the scene, Wu said.
A typhoon was expected to hit the island early tomorrow morning. Heavy rains have already begun soaking Taipei, Taiwan's capital.
Indurain
Oct 31, 00, 1:18 pm
I was on this flight last Thanksgiving. The flight attendants I spoke to on that flight work this route regularly. My thoughts and prayers to all involved.
A few co-workers just arrived in TPE last night and I'm scheduled to go this weekend.
A few co-workers just arrived in TPE last night and I'm scheduled to go this weekend.
kyklin
Oct 31, 00, 1:57 pm
Latest Chinese news reports the following:
47 confirmed fatalities, 68 injuries, 16 unhurt.
The two pilots and first officer survived.
Pilots claims the plane hit an unidentified object on the runway, causing this accident.
47 confirmed fatalities, 68 injuries, 16 unhurt.
The two pilots and first officer survived.
Pilots claims the plane hit an unidentified object on the runway, causing this accident.
ozstamps
Oct 31, 00, 3:37 pm
CNN also saying 47 confirmed dead. Hit a cargo plane on tarmac. SQ spokesman refusing to say anything on same program.
Andrew Yiu
Oct 31, 00, 4:16 pm
Report from SQ:
Of the 159 passengers and 20 crew on board SQ 006, some fatalities have now been reported. The specific numbers of casualties and fatalities have yet to be confirmed. However, we understand there are 75 passengers unaccounted for, 68 passengers injured and 16 passengers confirmed as uninjured.
Of the crew, the three technical crew are uninjured. Eight cabin crew are unaccounted for, one is injured and eight are unhurt.
The injured have been transferred to hospitals in Taipei. Rescue operations are still underway.
On board, there were 5 First Class passengers, 28 Raffles Class, and 126 Economy Class passengers.
The three technical crew comprised the flight commander, Captain C. K. Foong, who is a Malaysian, and two Singaporean First Officers. Of the 17 cabin crew, 15 are Singaporeans and two are Taiwanese.
This is the first serious accident involving an SIA aircraft. The B747-400 aircraft was manufactured in January 1997, and underwent its last maintenance check on 16 September 2000. The aircraft, registration 9VSPK, carried no defects.
Flight SQ 006 crashed on the runway during the take-off run yesterday (31 October) at 2318 hours local time at Taipei’s Chiang Kai Shek Airport.
Of the 159 passengers and 20 crew on board SQ 006, some fatalities have now been reported. The specific numbers of casualties and fatalities have yet to be confirmed. However, we understand there are 75 passengers unaccounted for, 68 passengers injured and 16 passengers confirmed as uninjured.
Of the crew, the three technical crew are uninjured. Eight cabin crew are unaccounted for, one is injured and eight are unhurt.
The injured have been transferred to hospitals in Taipei. Rescue operations are still underway.
On board, there were 5 First Class passengers, 28 Raffles Class, and 126 Economy Class passengers.
The three technical crew comprised the flight commander, Captain C. K. Foong, who is a Malaysian, and two Singaporean First Officers. Of the 17 cabin crew, 15 are Singaporeans and two are Taiwanese.
This is the first serious accident involving an SIA aircraft. The B747-400 aircraft was manufactured in January 1997, and underwent its last maintenance check on 16 September 2000. The aircraft, registration 9VSPK, carried no defects.
Flight SQ 006 crashed on the runway during the take-off run yesterday (31 October) at 2318 hours local time at Taipei’s Chiang Kai Shek Airport.
Catman
Oct 31, 00, 4:28 pm
My first thoughts were that our Kyklin, Danielle, Indurian, Alice or AusTxHiker or any Flyertalkers were on that flight!!!!
I could not remember if any of them were flying to Taipai.
Relieved I see Ken and Indurian posting and now I remember AusTxHiker called me two nights ago.
Ok, I am a reactionary.
(I got this way over the SwissAIr crash and worried about RUdi and Gisela!)
I could not remember if any of them were flying to Taipai.
Relieved I see Ken and Indurian posting and now I remember AusTxHiker called me two nights ago.
Ok, I am a reactionary.
(I got this way over the SwissAIr crash and worried about RUdi and Gisela!)
Guy Betsy
Oct 31, 00, 4:30 pm
My friends at SQ in Singapore are all in shock. The reports are still coming in and the final story is still confusing and conflicting to news reports in Taiwan and Singapore.
It is however, confirmed that 65 people died as reported by CNN.
It is a miracle that even some have survived.
It is however, confirmed that 65 people died as reported by CNN.
It is a miracle that even some have survived.
RichG
Oct 31, 00, 4:36 pm
Britain's ITN also reports 47 killed, and that China Airlines denies that any of its planes were involved:
http://www.itn.co.uk/news/20001031/world/11crash.shtml
http://www.itn.co.uk/news/20001031/world/11crash.shtml
criscokid
Oct 31, 00, 5:47 pm
Information source: http://www.singaporeair.com/report2.html
Flight SQ006 Update
Last Updated: 01 November 2000, 0455 hrs Singapore.
Of the 159 passengers and 20 crew on board SQ 006, some fatalities have now been reported. The specific numbers of casualties and fatalities have yet to be confirmed. However, we understand there are 75 passengers unaccounted for, 68 passengers injured and 16 passengers confirmed as uninjured.
Of the crew, the three technical crew are uninjured. Eight cabin crew are unaccounted for, one is injured and eight are unhurt.
The injured have been transferred to hospitals in Taipei. Rescue operations are still underway.
On board, there were 5 First Class passengers, 28 Raffles Class, and 126 Economy Class passengers.
The three technical crew comprised the flight commander, Captain C. K. Foong, who is a Malaysian, and two Singaporean First Officers. Of the 17 cabin crew, 15 are Singaporeans and two are Taiwanese.
This is the first serious accident involving an SIA aircraft. The B747-400 aircraft was manufactured in January 1997, and underwent its last maintenance check on 16 September 2000. The aircraft, registration 9VSPK, carried no defects.
Flight SQ 006 crashed on the runway during the take-off run yesterday (31 October) at 2318 hours local time at Taipei’s Chiang Kai Shek Airport.
Media are advised to call (65) 540-3070. Next-of-kin should call (65) 542-3311.
Flight SQ006 Update
Last Updated: 01 November 2000, 0455 hrs Singapore.
Of the 159 passengers and 20 crew on board SQ 006, some fatalities have now been reported. The specific numbers of casualties and fatalities have yet to be confirmed. However, we understand there are 75 passengers unaccounted for, 68 passengers injured and 16 passengers confirmed as uninjured.
Of the crew, the three technical crew are uninjured. Eight cabin crew are unaccounted for, one is injured and eight are unhurt.
The injured have been transferred to hospitals in Taipei. Rescue operations are still underway.
On board, there were 5 First Class passengers, 28 Raffles Class, and 126 Economy Class passengers.
The three technical crew comprised the flight commander, Captain C. K. Foong, who is a Malaysian, and two Singaporean First Officers. Of the 17 cabin crew, 15 are Singaporeans and two are Taiwanese.
This is the first serious accident involving an SIA aircraft. The B747-400 aircraft was manufactured in January 1997, and underwent its last maintenance check on 16 September 2000. The aircraft, registration 9VSPK, carried no defects.
Flight SQ 006 crashed on the runway during the take-off run yesterday (31 October) at 2318 hours local time at Taipei’s Chiang Kai Shek Airport.
Media are advised to call (65) 540-3070. Next-of-kin should call (65) 542-3311.
kyklin
Oct 31, 00, 6:54 pm
Information source: http://www.chinatimes.com.tw/moment/891031015.htm
Very sad news indeed.
Rough translation/summary:
falities count is now 69. 30 is still missing, likely dead.
Ten American and six Singapore experts/investigators are enroute.
Probable causes are either windshear or collision/contact with unidentified object.
Biggest question is still why did the airport/airline/pilot decide to fly the plane in this condition.
Blackbox recovery will take place as soon as the rainstorm is over.
There was no involvement with China Airlines' planes.
Very sad news indeed.
Rough translation/summary:
falities count is now 69. 30 is still missing, likely dead.
Ten American and six Singapore experts/investigators are enroute.
Probable causes are either windshear or collision/contact with unidentified object.
Biggest question is still why did the airport/airline/pilot decide to fly the plane in this condition.
Blackbox recovery will take place as soon as the rainstorm is over.
There was no involvement with China Airlines' planes.
Danial
Oct 31, 00, 7:23 pm
Tried to access SQ airline web site News Release section for latest update, and I think many people are also trying too but their server might be overloaded with request that it is now down.
ERROR: The requested URL could not be retrieved
While trying to retrieve the URL: http://www.singaporeair.com/NSAPI/?MIval=sia_article_show_i1&article_code=au_mc
The following error was encountered:
ERROR 305 -- The server stopped sending data.
This means that:
The network or remote site is down. Please try again later.
ERROR: The requested URL could not be retrieved
While trying to retrieve the URL: http://www.singaporeair.com/NSAPI/?MIval=sia_article_show_i1&article_code=au_mc
The following error was encountered:
ERROR 305 -- The server stopped sending data.
This means that:
The network or remote site is down. Please try again later.
heart of asia
Oct 31, 00, 8:59 pm
Latest BBC NEWS reports show the investigation is now focusing on whether the Singapore Airlines 747 was using the wrong runway!
They were cleared for take off on the north runway, but the aircraft was on a parallell runway currently under construction. It is believed there was equipment and machinery on this runway, which would explain the pilots claim of hitting something, and also would explain the tyre found among the wreckage which does NOT belong to the SQ jet.
If the pilots could not see the runway was not completed, then the weather must have been terrible, and why did they continue to agree to take off???
They were cleared for take off on the north runway, but the aircraft was on a parallell runway currently under construction. It is believed there was equipment and machinery on this runway, which would explain the pilots claim of hitting something, and also would explain the tyre found among the wreckage which does NOT belong to the SQ jet.
If the pilots could not see the runway was not completed, then the weather must have been terrible, and why did they continue to agree to take off???
ozstamps
Oct 31, 00, 10:04 pm
http://www.smh.com.au/news/0011/01/update/news101.html
http://www.smh.com.au/
Lot of links on lower url
http://www.smh.com.au/
Lot of links on lower url
doc
Oct 31, 00, 10:43 pm
Singapore Airline's next press briefing regarding flight SQ006 will be held at 6:00 PM (PST) at Los Angeles International Airport, Tom Bradley Terminal, Lower Level.
For additional information, please log on to www.singaporeair.com. (http://www.singaporeair.com.)
Relatives of passengers may call 800/828-0508 for additional information.
AC President and CEO, Robert Milton, today made the following statement in response to news that a Singapore Air aircraft has crashed in Taipei:
"Tragedies such as this are deeply felt throughout the entire airline community. Our thoughts are with the passengers and crew who were on board this Singapore Airlines flight, as well as with their families and friends," said Milton. "I have sent a message to Dr. Cheong Choong Kong, Deputy Chairman and CEO of Singapore Airlines, offering Air Canada's assistance and support at this difficult time."
For additional information, please log on to www.singaporeair.com. (http://www.singaporeair.com.)
Relatives of passengers may call 800/828-0508 for additional information.
AC President and CEO, Robert Milton, today made the following statement in response to news that a Singapore Air aircraft has crashed in Taipei:
"Tragedies such as this are deeply felt throughout the entire airline community. Our thoughts are with the passengers and crew who were on board this Singapore Airlines flight, as well as with their families and friends," said Milton. "I have sent a message to Dr. Cheong Choong Kong, Deputy Chairman and CEO of Singapore Airlines, offering Air Canada's assistance and support at this difficult time."
ozstamps
Oct 31, 00, 11:00 pm
To SQ credit they have posted a complete list of passegners and crew on:
http://www.singaporeair.com./report4b.html
This is in contrast to many recent major crashes where details of those on board was very slow in coming out.
Interesting to note a number of passengers are not listed as male or female. Seems that data is not logged when pax check in? A name like Yeh Chi Fua might be either sex I imagine, and this person was recorded as an American citizen.
http://www.singaporeair.com./report4b.html
This is in contrast to many recent major crashes where details of those on board was very slow in coming out.
Interesting to note a number of passengers are not listed as male or female. Seems that data is not logged when pax check in? A name like Yeh Chi Fua might be either sex I imagine, and this person was recorded as an American citizen.
Guy Betsy
Nov 1, 00, 1:32 am
This from Singapore's newspaper, The Straits Times. Aircraft Hit Digging Equipment!
http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/breakingnews/sia17_1101.html
Actually, there was another incident in Singapore also involving a Singapore Airlines flight heading for London. An engine caught fire upon take off, and had to be turned back. Changi Airport closed.
[This message has been edited by Guy Betsy (edited 11-01-2000).]
http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/breakingnews/sia17_1101.html
Actually, there was another incident in Singapore also involving a Singapore Airlines flight heading for London. An engine caught fire upon take off, and had to be turned back. Changi Airport closed.
[This message has been edited by Guy Betsy (edited 11-01-2000).]
Droneklax
Nov 1, 00, 1:56 am
Wrong runway? http://asia.dailynews.yahoo.com/headlines/asia/afp/article.html?s=asia/headlines/001101/asia/afp/Crashed_airliner_may_have_taken_off_from_closed_Ta iwan_runway__TV.html
doc
Nov 1, 00, 6:22 am
Speculation about the possible cause of the crash is focused on the weather at the time. Typhoon Xangsane had moved closer to Taiwan's southern coast and heavy rains had already begun soaking Taipei, the capital.
The typhoon was packing 90 mph (145 km/h) winds. It was expected to make landfall today if it maintained its current course, the Central Weather Bureau said. A key question to be answered is whether other planes tried to take off during the same time that SA SQ006 did. Investigators will also examine reports by eyewitnesses that the jet struck an object on the runway during takeoff.
Singapore Airlines Chief Executive Cheong Choong Kong said several witnesses, including the flight's pilot, also reported that the plane struck an object. It wasn't immediately clear what Flight SQ006 may have hit. Video footage showed the Boeing 747-400 spewing flames and thick black smoke despite the heavy rain. Afterward, parts of the blue-and-white fuselage were badly charred, with a gaping hole in the roof of the forward section.
http://news.airwise.com/stories/2000/11/973080862.html
Investigators on Wednesday searched for a mystery object that a jumbo jet may have hit before catching fire and breaking into three pieces, killing 79 of 179 people on board. Singapore Airlines defended its pilot's decision to take off in heavy wind and rain.
As emergency workers pulled bodies from the charred, blue-and-tan wreckage, early speculation pointed to gusting winds as a possible factor in the Los Angeles-bound Boeing 747-400's accident late Tuesday. But the airline and Taiwanese aviation officials said the veteran pilot wasn't reckless for deciding to fly.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/world/AP-Taiwan-Plane-Crash.html
The captain, C.K. Foong, ”saw an object on the runway and he tried to take off to avoid the object, and he hit the object,'' Singapore spokesman Rick Clements said, declining to offer further details about what was apparently on the runway besides the Boeing jetliner. “Early indications are that it (the plane) did momentarily take off,” he added.
http://www.aviationnow.com/TwoShare/getPage?sid=1410689662692062
And more from SIA: http://www.singaporeair.com/report5b.html
And possibly dumping SIA shares: http://www.smh.com.au/breaking/0011/01/A20200-2000Nov1.shtml
Black boxes have now been found and recovered for analysis!
-----------
Looking again at the gruesome photos today, it is astounding to me that ANYONE escaped alive! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif
-----------
SIA officially claim that weather conditions were "standard!" Yet, I've learned through a colleague/friend that several paxs and VERY experienced FF's have noted that they NEVER ever imagined taking off in the SEVERE conditions facing them yesterday! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif
http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/1000000/audio/_1001035_carsh23_phing.ram
And for general 747-400 INFO see: http://www.boeing.com/commercial/747family/index.html
The latest information from the crash site at 1630 today confirms there are 79 fatalities and identifies the 99 passengers and crew who have received outpatient treatment or been hospitalised. The whereabouts of one passenger is still to be determined.
The Airline said that the names of the deceased would not be confirmed until the bodies had been identified.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/001101/ca_singapo.html
The following is being issued by Singapore Airlines:
PASSENGER/CREW NAME LIST - SQ 006 Alphabetical order
Pax and Crew Unaccounted For SQ6
(as of 1st Nov 2000, 1800hrs SGP Time)
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/001101/ca_singapo_2.html
UPDATE:
Families of Singapore Airlines crash victims began arriving in Taiwan early Thursday to retrieve their loved ones' bodies as officials tried to determine what caused the plane to burst into flames during takeoff, killing 79 people -- at least 23 of them Americans.
Survivors said they felt Flight SQ006 hit something as the plane barreled down the runway. But as emergency workers pulled bodies from the charred, blue-and-tan wreckage Wednesday, early speculation also pointed to wind as a possible factor in the Boeing 747-400's accident: At the time of takeoff, the airport was being lashed by the swirling gusts and torrential rains of an approaching typhoon.
Some relatives of those who died have blamed the pilot, Capt. C.K. Foong. On Wednesday, one woman pounded the counter at a Singapore Airlines ticket counter in Taipei and shouted at the company's employees, ``How could you take off in this weather?''
But the airline -- which had not had a major accident in 28 years of operation -- defended Foong's decision.
``Conditions were well within safe operational limits,'' company spokesman Rick Clements told reporters in Singapore. He noted that a flight by Taiwan's China Airlines took off just 15 minutes before Singapore Airlines' takeoff.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/world/AP-Taiwan-Plane-Crash.html
[This message has been edited by doc (edited 11-01-2000).]
The typhoon was packing 90 mph (145 km/h) winds. It was expected to make landfall today if it maintained its current course, the Central Weather Bureau said. A key question to be answered is whether other planes tried to take off during the same time that SA SQ006 did. Investigators will also examine reports by eyewitnesses that the jet struck an object on the runway during takeoff.
Singapore Airlines Chief Executive Cheong Choong Kong said several witnesses, including the flight's pilot, also reported that the plane struck an object. It wasn't immediately clear what Flight SQ006 may have hit. Video footage showed the Boeing 747-400 spewing flames and thick black smoke despite the heavy rain. Afterward, parts of the blue-and-white fuselage were badly charred, with a gaping hole in the roof of the forward section.
http://news.airwise.com/stories/2000/11/973080862.html
Investigators on Wednesday searched for a mystery object that a jumbo jet may have hit before catching fire and breaking into three pieces, killing 79 of 179 people on board. Singapore Airlines defended its pilot's decision to take off in heavy wind and rain.
As emergency workers pulled bodies from the charred, blue-and-tan wreckage, early speculation pointed to gusting winds as a possible factor in the Los Angeles-bound Boeing 747-400's accident late Tuesday. But the airline and Taiwanese aviation officials said the veteran pilot wasn't reckless for deciding to fly.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/world/AP-Taiwan-Plane-Crash.html
The captain, C.K. Foong, ”saw an object on the runway and he tried to take off to avoid the object, and he hit the object,'' Singapore spokesman Rick Clements said, declining to offer further details about what was apparently on the runway besides the Boeing jetliner. “Early indications are that it (the plane) did momentarily take off,” he added.
http://www.aviationnow.com/TwoShare/getPage?sid=1410689662692062
And more from SIA: http://www.singaporeair.com/report5b.html
And possibly dumping SIA shares: http://www.smh.com.au/breaking/0011/01/A20200-2000Nov1.shtml
Black boxes have now been found and recovered for analysis!
-----------
Looking again at the gruesome photos today, it is astounding to me that ANYONE escaped alive! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif
-----------
SIA officially claim that weather conditions were "standard!" Yet, I've learned through a colleague/friend that several paxs and VERY experienced FF's have noted that they NEVER ever imagined taking off in the SEVERE conditions facing them yesterday! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif
http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/1000000/audio/_1001035_carsh23_phing.ram
And for general 747-400 INFO see: http://www.boeing.com/commercial/747family/index.html
The latest information from the crash site at 1630 today confirms there are 79 fatalities and identifies the 99 passengers and crew who have received outpatient treatment or been hospitalised. The whereabouts of one passenger is still to be determined.
The Airline said that the names of the deceased would not be confirmed until the bodies had been identified.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/001101/ca_singapo.html
The following is being issued by Singapore Airlines:
PASSENGER/CREW NAME LIST - SQ 006 Alphabetical order
Pax and Crew Unaccounted For SQ6
(as of 1st Nov 2000, 1800hrs SGP Time)
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/001101/ca_singapo_2.html
UPDATE:
Families of Singapore Airlines crash victims began arriving in Taiwan early Thursday to retrieve their loved ones' bodies as officials tried to determine what caused the plane to burst into flames during takeoff, killing 79 people -- at least 23 of them Americans.
Survivors said they felt Flight SQ006 hit something as the plane barreled down the runway. But as emergency workers pulled bodies from the charred, blue-and-tan wreckage Wednesday, early speculation also pointed to wind as a possible factor in the Boeing 747-400's accident: At the time of takeoff, the airport was being lashed by the swirling gusts and torrential rains of an approaching typhoon.
Some relatives of those who died have blamed the pilot, Capt. C.K. Foong. On Wednesday, one woman pounded the counter at a Singapore Airlines ticket counter in Taipei and shouted at the company's employees, ``How could you take off in this weather?''
But the airline -- which had not had a major accident in 28 years of operation -- defended Foong's decision.
``Conditions were well within safe operational limits,'' company spokesman Rick Clements told reporters in Singapore. He noted that a flight by Taiwan's China Airlines took off just 15 minutes before Singapore Airlines' takeoff.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/world/AP-Taiwan-Plane-Crash.html
[This message has been edited by doc (edited 11-01-2000).]
doc
Nov 2, 00, 7:24 am
Families of Singapore Airlines crash victims began arriving in Taiwan early today to retrieve their loved ones' bodies as officials tried to determine what caused the plane to burst into flames during takeoff, killing 81 people - at least 23 of them Americans.
Survivors said they felt Flight SQ006 hit something as the plane speeded down the runway. But early speculation also pointed to wind as a possible factor in the Boeing 747-400's accident.
At the time of takeoff, the airport was being lashed by swirling gusts and torrential rains of approaching Typhoon Xangsane.
The typhoon moved away from Taiwan and closer to southern Japan this morning after leaving 53 dead and 10 missing in the island's worst flooding in three decades.
http://news.airwise.com/stories/2000/11/973170977.html
Weeping and clutching one another, relatives on Thursday began identifying the bodies of the 81 people killed on a Singapore Airlines flight, including at least 23 Americans...
...EVA Airways, said Thursday that before Flight SQ006 took off, EVA had canceled three flights because crosswinds exceeded its safety threshold of 55 mph.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/world/AP-Taiwan-Plane-Crash.html
AND: Separately, preliminary analysis appears
to suggest a critical cockpit error which may have led to the SIA aircraft being in the wrong runway! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif
AND: Information has been received from Taipei that there are now 81 confirmed fatalities as a result of the crash of SQ006 on 31 October 2000. The identification process of the deceased is ongoing and we are advised that the process is expected to be complete soon.
-Issued by Singapore Airlines Public Affairs Department at 1530 hours.
[This message has been edited by doc (edited 11-02-2000).]
Survivors said they felt Flight SQ006 hit something as the plane speeded down the runway. But early speculation also pointed to wind as a possible factor in the Boeing 747-400's accident.
At the time of takeoff, the airport was being lashed by swirling gusts and torrential rains of approaching Typhoon Xangsane.
The typhoon moved away from Taiwan and closer to southern Japan this morning after leaving 53 dead and 10 missing in the island's worst flooding in three decades.
http://news.airwise.com/stories/2000/11/973170977.html
Weeping and clutching one another, relatives on Thursday began identifying the bodies of the 81 people killed on a Singapore Airlines flight, including at least 23 Americans...
...EVA Airways, said Thursday that before Flight SQ006 took off, EVA had canceled three flights because crosswinds exceeded its safety threshold of 55 mph.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/world/AP-Taiwan-Plane-Crash.html
AND: Separately, preliminary analysis appears
to suggest a critical cockpit error which may have led to the SIA aircraft being in the wrong runway! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif
AND: Information has been received from Taipei that there are now 81 confirmed fatalities as a result of the crash of SQ006 on 31 October 2000. The identification process of the deceased is ongoing and we are advised that the process is expected to be complete soon.
-Issued by Singapore Airlines Public Affairs Department at 1530 hours.
[This message has been edited by doc (edited 11-02-2000).]
kyklin
Nov 2, 00, 12:47 pm
According to the local media, current investigation is pointing toward that the pilot may have taken off on wrong runway. Instead of taking off from 5L, the pilot may have taken off from 5R which is used from taxiing and hit the excavator on 5R.
It is yet unconfirmed but it is rumored that other pilots saw SQ turned to the wrong runway.
It is yet unconfirmed but it is rumored that other pilots saw SQ turned to the wrong runway.
kyklin
Nov 2, 00, 12:59 pm
Blackbox "reading" has been completed by Taiwan's FAA-equivalent agency. SQ006 was in the wrong runway.
http://www.cts.com.tw/news/headlines/news20001102N15.htm (in Chinese)
http://www.cts.com.tw/news/headlines/news20001102N15.htm (in Chinese)
AC*SE
Nov 2, 00, 1:25 pm
The first I heard of this was when I deplaned from SQ002 from HKG-SFO on the 31st.
I heard "Singapore Airlines" and "crash" coming from a local news report. I then did some quick math, and figured out that our SQ 747 was overhead CKS as the rescue work was underway. Very sad proximity.
I heard "Singapore Airlines" and "crash" coming from a local news report. I then did some quick math, and figured out that our SQ 747 was overhead CKS as the rescue work was underway. Very sad proximity.
Guy Betsy
Nov 2, 00, 6:13 pm
If the runway that SQ was on is supposedly closed, then the TPE airport authorities shouldn't have lit it up in the first place.
When runway work was done on the parallel runway at BKK a few months back, that runway had all of its lights turned off in the evening. Approaching aircraft could only see the visual on the other well-lit runway.
When runway work was done on the parallel runway at BKK a few months back, that runway had all of its lights turned off in the evening. Approaching aircraft could only see the visual on the other well-lit runway.
Droneklax
Nov 2, 00, 9:57 pm
Looking at where the debris is, there is little doubt left that this aircraft was on the wrong runway, as unbelievable as it may seem... http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/primenews/runway2.html
Kaoru Kanetaka
Nov 3, 00, 12:12 am
Having made many trips to Taipei and in fact, just having traveled thru the Taipei Internatinal Airport during the past typhoon and the chaos resulting from the tragedy, I would venture to say that Taipei CKS International airport needs major improvements in their operation as well as their facility management.
Guy Betsy is absolutely right; they should have never lit up the unused runway. I can just imagine how cluttered that runway must have been. Besides, the day after the accident, there were several major 'rainfalls' on the terminal corridor which made all the walking moveway stop, creating a massive movement of people extremely difficult, as all the flights seem to be subject to the last minute gate changes. The airline lounges are all old and not so pleasant, including the Dynasty lounge of the hometown carrier, CI, which resembles like a Sunday Dim Sum scene.
I waited for the SQ flight to HKG, (yes the first SQ flight after the accident and among the very first to fly out of TPE to HKG that day as CX had cancelled all the flights) along with the whole SQ crew at the designated gate when suddenly JAA(EG)747 arrives at the gate. ( The gate sign still showed SQ departure!) We waited additonal 5 minutes for the new gate annoucement. Imagine nearly 250 people had to move suddenly from one gate to the other in the rainy corridor??
It is a shame that Taiwan's international gateway does not convey the image of the high-tech empire and there are obvious operational unprofessionalistm that should not be associated with the major airport in the countries of the advanced economy.
[This message has been edited by Kaoru Kanetaka (edited 11-02-2000).]
Guy Betsy is absolutely right; they should have never lit up the unused runway. I can just imagine how cluttered that runway must have been. Besides, the day after the accident, there were several major 'rainfalls' on the terminal corridor which made all the walking moveway stop, creating a massive movement of people extremely difficult, as all the flights seem to be subject to the last minute gate changes. The airline lounges are all old and not so pleasant, including the Dynasty lounge of the hometown carrier, CI, which resembles like a Sunday Dim Sum scene.
I waited for the SQ flight to HKG, (yes the first SQ flight after the accident and among the very first to fly out of TPE to HKG that day as CX had cancelled all the flights) along with the whole SQ crew at the designated gate when suddenly JAA(EG)747 arrives at the gate. ( The gate sign still showed SQ departure!) We waited additonal 5 minutes for the new gate annoucement. Imagine nearly 250 people had to move suddenly from one gate to the other in the rainy corridor??
It is a shame that Taiwan's international gateway does not convey the image of the high-tech empire and there are obvious operational unprofessionalistm that should not be associated with the major airport in the countries of the advanced economy.
[This message has been edited by Kaoru Kanetaka (edited 11-02-2000).]
kyklin
Nov 3, 00, 2:45 am
(Rough translation from various local media.)
SIA public affairs vice-president Rick Clements has confirmed that SQ006 was on the wrong runway.
The Taiwan FAA stated that runway 5R could not be completely closed because it was still being used for taxiing. There were also warning lights and cement blocks blocking off the construction sites. Another report also sates all departing pilots had been briefed of the construction.
However, 5R's median runway light was not turned off. According to those who are familiar with the airport, however, it would have been virtually impossible for the pilot to have mistaken 5L with 5R. There are signs on the ground and runway markings indication the different runways. 5L is also lit yellow/white - international sigh for second class intrument landing runway - and further down the runway is a well-lit landing area. 5R, however, is lit green for a visual runway.
The tower, not uncommonly, does not identify the location of the plane visually but by communicationa and instrumentation. As a result, it may not have know that SQ006 was taxing toward the wrong runway.
***
Opinion:
In retrospect, I wished the airport had not lit 5R. The airport should have also removed the construction equipment and other obstacles-- afterall, a hurricane was near.
Furthermore, if the the CAL pilots from thw two separate planes behind SQ006 had witnessed it turned to the wrong runway, why didn't they inform Captain Foong? (Maybe not enough time?)
However, I think the pilots may have to bear some reponsibilities as well.
This is where the GPS with ground map overlay discussed in http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum94/HTML/002905.html would have came in handy.
SIA public affairs vice-president Rick Clements has confirmed that SQ006 was on the wrong runway.
The Taiwan FAA stated that runway 5R could not be completely closed because it was still being used for taxiing. There were also warning lights and cement blocks blocking off the construction sites. Another report also sates all departing pilots had been briefed of the construction.
However, 5R's median runway light was not turned off. According to those who are familiar with the airport, however, it would have been virtually impossible for the pilot to have mistaken 5L with 5R. There are signs on the ground and runway markings indication the different runways. 5L is also lit yellow/white - international sigh for second class intrument landing runway - and further down the runway is a well-lit landing area. 5R, however, is lit green for a visual runway.
The tower, not uncommonly, does not identify the location of the plane visually but by communicationa and instrumentation. As a result, it may not have know that SQ006 was taxing toward the wrong runway.
***
Opinion:
In retrospect, I wished the airport had not lit 5R. The airport should have also removed the construction equipment and other obstacles-- afterall, a hurricane was near.
Furthermore, if the the CAL pilots from thw two separate planes behind SQ006 had witnessed it turned to the wrong runway, why didn't they inform Captain Foong? (Maybe not enough time?)
However, I think the pilots may have to bear some reponsibilities as well.
This is where the GPS with ground map overlay discussed in http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum94/HTML/002905.html would have came in handy.
kyklin
Nov 3, 00, 3:04 am
Rather than translating, The Straight Times of Singapore (http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/st.html) is perhaps the best source of local (Asia) reporting in English. It contains good illustrations of how the creash might have occurred and better explanations of how both the pilots and the airports could have avoided this.
Kaoru: TPE is not a great airport by any means but I have to assume that any airport in the world would have operational irregularities after are an incident like this. By all reports that I have read so far, the administration did a very admirable job responding to this incident.
Kaoru: TPE is not a great airport by any means but I have to assume that any airport in the world would have operational irregularities after are an incident like this. By all reports that I have read so far, the administration did a very admirable job responding to this incident.
doc
Nov 3, 00, 6:10 am
What are the pilots saying? It ain't pretty! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif
From PRUNE:
http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/Forum1/HTML/010790.html
AND: Seconds before the jetliner crashed into the equipment at 163 mph, caught fire and broke into three sections, the pilot uttered an expletive and said, "Something there," Yong said, quoting the plane's recovered cockpit voice recorder.
http://www.nytimes.com/2000/11/03/world/03WIRE-TAIW.html
Singapore Airlines Boeing 747-400 Flight SQ006, which had 179 people aboard when taking off during a storm at Taipei's airport late Tuesday night bound for Los Angeles, was on the wrong runway when it crashed killing 81 people, the chief investigator said today.
The pilot realized at the last moment he was on a strip closed for repairs and tried to lift off but struck construction equipment on the runway.
The statement by Kay Yong, Taiwan's Aviation Safety Council managing director, confirmed that pilot error played a major role in the crash of the Boeing 747-400, which had 179 people aboard when it tried to take off during a storm at Taipei's airport late Tuesday night.
http://news.airwise.com/stories/2000/11/973248257.html
Out of respect for the privacy of family and friends of passengers who were aboard flight 006, Singapore Airlines will not release any passenger hometown information to the press or general public. Singapore Airlines will also not reveal the current location or return travel itineraries of surviving passengers. Please understand that our first priority is -- and must be -- caring for the families involved.
We wish to stress that our heart goes out to everyone who had a loved one onboard this flight. We will continue to keep them in our thoughts and prayers. During the coming days and weeks, our highest mission is to provide the best possible assistance to families and survivors.
Singapore Airlines' top priority is to provide every consideration within our power to the families...
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/001102/ca_singapo_2.html
The following deceased passengers have now been positively identified, through DNA testing:
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/001103/ca_singapo.html
The runway in question, adjacent and parallel to the intended path, was closed for construction and littered with concrete blocks and heavy equipment at the time of the accident. It was also lit, though it was not supposed to be, which could have made a pilot error easier to occur in the dim visibility. Officials said they were trying to determine whether the runway was lit by mistake.
http://www.nytimes.com/2000/11/03/world/03TAIW.html
AND: SIA has also reportedly accepted the preliminary findings of the investigation and issued a public apology for their mistake!
Singapore Airlines acknowledged Friday the pilot of a 747 that crashed on takeoff and killed 81 people had brought the plane down the wrong runway, and accepted responsibility for the accident.
The runway in question, adjacent and parallel to the intended path, was closed for construction and littered with concrete blocks and heavy equipment at the time of the accident. It was also lit, though it was not supposed to be, which could have made a pilot error easier to occur in the dim visibility. Officials said they were trying to determine whether the runway was lit by mistake.
Singapore Airlines had denied until a statement issued Friday evening that its pilot made any error. It came to a new conclusion after hearing evidence collected by Taiwan's Aviation Safety Council.
http://www.nytimes.com/2000/11/03/world/03CND-TAIWAN.html
UPDATE on the deceased:
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/001104/ca_singapo.html
For Taiwan Aviation Safety see: http://www.asc.gov.tw/english/index.htm
Kay Yong, managing director of Taiwan’s Aviation Safety Council investigating the crash, stressed today in a prepared statement that a combination of bad weather, poor visibility and bad markings all might have played a role in the mishap, and that it’s too early in the investigation to conclude that the crash was the pilot’s fault.
Once the takeoff roll was underway, it was apparent that it was closed for repairs, and the pilot tried to pull up quickly to clear obstructions. Instead, going 163 mph, he clipped concrete barriers erected as part of the construction project, and the plane caught fire and broke apart into three sections. The accident killed 81 of 179 passengers and crew on board the plane.
http://www.aviationnow.com/TwoShare/getPage?sid=4045143072579931041
[This message has been edited by doc (edited 11-06-2000).]
From PRUNE:
http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/Forum1/HTML/010790.html
AND: Seconds before the jetliner crashed into the equipment at 163 mph, caught fire and broke into three sections, the pilot uttered an expletive and said, "Something there," Yong said, quoting the plane's recovered cockpit voice recorder.
http://www.nytimes.com/2000/11/03/world/03WIRE-TAIW.html
Singapore Airlines Boeing 747-400 Flight SQ006, which had 179 people aboard when taking off during a storm at Taipei's airport late Tuesday night bound for Los Angeles, was on the wrong runway when it crashed killing 81 people, the chief investigator said today.
The pilot realized at the last moment he was on a strip closed for repairs and tried to lift off but struck construction equipment on the runway.
The statement by Kay Yong, Taiwan's Aviation Safety Council managing director, confirmed that pilot error played a major role in the crash of the Boeing 747-400, which had 179 people aboard when it tried to take off during a storm at Taipei's airport late Tuesday night.
http://news.airwise.com/stories/2000/11/973248257.html
Out of respect for the privacy of family and friends of passengers who were aboard flight 006, Singapore Airlines will not release any passenger hometown information to the press or general public. Singapore Airlines will also not reveal the current location or return travel itineraries of surviving passengers. Please understand that our first priority is -- and must be -- caring for the families involved.
We wish to stress that our heart goes out to everyone who had a loved one onboard this flight. We will continue to keep them in our thoughts and prayers. During the coming days and weeks, our highest mission is to provide the best possible assistance to families and survivors.
Singapore Airlines' top priority is to provide every consideration within our power to the families...
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/001102/ca_singapo_2.html
The following deceased passengers have now been positively identified, through DNA testing:
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/001103/ca_singapo.html
The runway in question, adjacent and parallel to the intended path, was closed for construction and littered with concrete blocks and heavy equipment at the time of the accident. It was also lit, though it was not supposed to be, which could have made a pilot error easier to occur in the dim visibility. Officials said they were trying to determine whether the runway was lit by mistake.
http://www.nytimes.com/2000/11/03/world/03TAIW.html
AND: SIA has also reportedly accepted the preliminary findings of the investigation and issued a public apology for their mistake!
Singapore Airlines acknowledged Friday the pilot of a 747 that crashed on takeoff and killed 81 people had brought the plane down the wrong runway, and accepted responsibility for the accident.
The runway in question, adjacent and parallel to the intended path, was closed for construction and littered with concrete blocks and heavy equipment at the time of the accident. It was also lit, though it was not supposed to be, which could have made a pilot error easier to occur in the dim visibility. Officials said they were trying to determine whether the runway was lit by mistake.
Singapore Airlines had denied until a statement issued Friday evening that its pilot made any error. It came to a new conclusion after hearing evidence collected by Taiwan's Aviation Safety Council.
http://www.nytimes.com/2000/11/03/world/03CND-TAIWAN.html
UPDATE on the deceased:
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/001104/ca_singapo.html
For Taiwan Aviation Safety see: http://www.asc.gov.tw/english/index.htm
Kay Yong, managing director of Taiwan’s Aviation Safety Council investigating the crash, stressed today in a prepared statement that a combination of bad weather, poor visibility and bad markings all might have played a role in the mishap, and that it’s too early in the investigation to conclude that the crash was the pilot’s fault.
Once the takeoff roll was underway, it was apparent that it was closed for repairs, and the pilot tried to pull up quickly to clear obstructions. Instead, going 163 mph, he clipped concrete barriers erected as part of the construction project, and the plane caught fire and broke apart into three sections. The accident killed 81 of 179 passengers and crew on board the plane.
http://www.aviationnow.com/TwoShare/getPage?sid=4045143072579931041
[This message has been edited by doc (edited 11-06-2000).]
Guy Betsy
Nov 4, 00, 3:26 am
SIA offers immediate compensation of US$400,000 to families of passengers and crew killed in crash. Is this a way of perhaps avoiding major lawsuits?
See :
http://www.singaporeair.com/report15.html
See :
http://www.singaporeair.com/report15.html
davistev
Nov 4, 00, 5:38 pm
$400,000 times 81 = $32.4 million dollars. The 747-400 cost at least $185 million.
I think SIA must be kidding if they think they get away with paying the family of victims less than the amount of money it takes to replace one plane.
Multiply the existing figure by 10 would be a realistic figure in my opinion. The only way SIA can take full responsibility and apologize is with their bank account. That is what corporations understand.
Come on on SIA - your heading for a PR nightmare.
I think SIA must be kidding if they think they get away with paying the family of victims less than the amount of money it takes to replace one plane.
Multiply the existing figure by 10 would be a realistic figure in my opinion. The only way SIA can take full responsibility and apologize is with their bank account. That is what corporations understand.
Come on on SIA - your heading for a PR nightmare.
ozstamps
Nov 4, 00, 7:20 pm
Davidstev. Agree with you. Add a zero or two. SQ first offered $25,000 per person compensation. Can you believe that insult???.
SQ are now in DEEEEEP Doo Doo IMHO. NO insurance policy is ever going to cover you for clear, admitted pilot errors ..... a whole string of them in this case by all accounts. It is SQ's baby. They posted a profit for the first six months of this year of over $US1 billion as I recall, largely by running on-time departures "no matter what."
The PPrune pilot board says SQ Pilot bonuses were largely dependent on on-time schedules. Management insisted planes take off no matter what the pilots might have often thought. Those chickens have it seems now come home to roost here. Safety before profit?
The Taiwanese are saying in press report below the matter will be heard in their courts, if any court cases take place, as the accident happened on Taiwan soil. Fair enough in my view. If SQ management have ADMITTED their fault, they are hardly going to reneg. on a Court decision award confirming that fact, no matter where made.
------------------
~ Glen ~
[This message has been edited by ozstamps (edited 11-04-2000).]
SQ are now in DEEEEEP Doo Doo IMHO. NO insurance policy is ever going to cover you for clear, admitted pilot errors ..... a whole string of them in this case by all accounts. It is SQ's baby. They posted a profit for the first six months of this year of over $US1 billion as I recall, largely by running on-time departures "no matter what."
The PPrune pilot board says SQ Pilot bonuses were largely dependent on on-time schedules. Management insisted planes take off no matter what the pilots might have often thought. Those chickens have it seems now come home to roost here. Safety before profit?
The Taiwanese are saying in press report below the matter will be heard in their courts, if any court cases take place, as the accident happened on Taiwan soil. Fair enough in my view. If SQ management have ADMITTED their fault, they are hardly going to reneg. on a Court decision award confirming that fact, no matter where made.
------------------
~ Glen ~
[This message has been edited by ozstamps (edited 11-04-2000).]
ozstamps
Nov 4, 00, 7:21 pm
From the Straits Times:
TAIPEI -- Three pilots will be charged with manslaughter for the Singapore Airlines crash which killed 81 people as evidence indicated pilot error put the doomed plane on the wrong runway, a prosecutor said on Saturday.
"If it is proved that pilot error had caused the air disaster, the three pilots would face manslaughter charges," Mr Song Kuo-yeh, a prosecutor from Taoyuan county who is leading the investigation into the causes of the crash, told AFP.
The plane's Malaysian pilot, Captain Foong Chee Kong, and co-pilots Latiff Cyrano and Ng Kheng Leng, who all survived the crash, could face up to five years in jail, Mr Song said.
They have been barred from leaving Taiwan, he said.
"If the crime occurred in Taiwan, the Taiwanese authorities have jurisdiction over this case," he added.
TAIPEI -- Three pilots will be charged with manslaughter for the Singapore Airlines crash which killed 81 people as evidence indicated pilot error put the doomed plane on the wrong runway, a prosecutor said on Saturday.
"If it is proved that pilot error had caused the air disaster, the three pilots would face manslaughter charges," Mr Song Kuo-yeh, a prosecutor from Taoyuan county who is leading the investigation into the causes of the crash, told AFP.
The plane's Malaysian pilot, Captain Foong Chee Kong, and co-pilots Latiff Cyrano and Ng Kheng Leng, who all survived the crash, could face up to five years in jail, Mr Song said.
They have been barred from leaving Taiwan, he said.
"If the crime occurred in Taiwan, the Taiwanese authorities have jurisdiction over this case," he added.
Guy Betsy
Nov 5, 00, 1:47 am
In any civilised country's national airline or major airline, when something like this happens, you get the airline's support no matter what. Be it a crash or what.
But SQ seems to want to wash their hands of this incident as fast as possible by simply throwing the pilots to the wolves and lions (media and Taiwanese courts respectively). Funny when a Taiwanese carrier suffers a similar incident, you don't have the Taiwanese authorities demanding blood so fast. The main issue here is that SQ is not behind anyone but itself.
Note too, we haven't heard or seen the pilot being interviewed. There are three of them when the plane took off - surely they can't be seeing the same wrong thing. (ie runway closed). Why hasn't SQ management defended them.
The media is quick to emphasize that the pilot is "malaysian". He is in fact a Permenant-Resident of Singapore which is as close as being Singaporean as possible. He just can't vote in elections that's all. But SQ is emphasizing that it is not a Singaporean at fault here, but a foreigner.
I think SQ is just looking for a scapegoat. But is shooting themselves in the foot by 'admitting' so early in the investigation.
[This message has been edited by Guy Betsy (edited 11-05-2000).]
But SQ seems to want to wash their hands of this incident as fast as possible by simply throwing the pilots to the wolves and lions (media and Taiwanese courts respectively). Funny when a Taiwanese carrier suffers a similar incident, you don't have the Taiwanese authorities demanding blood so fast. The main issue here is that SQ is not behind anyone but itself.
Note too, we haven't heard or seen the pilot being interviewed. There are three of them when the plane took off - surely they can't be seeing the same wrong thing. (ie runway closed). Why hasn't SQ management defended them.
The media is quick to emphasize that the pilot is "malaysian". He is in fact a Permenant-Resident of Singapore which is as close as being Singaporean as possible. He just can't vote in elections that's all. But SQ is emphasizing that it is not a Singaporean at fault here, but a foreigner.
I think SQ is just looking for a scapegoat. But is shooting themselves in the foot by 'admitting' so early in the investigation.
[This message has been edited by Guy Betsy (edited 11-05-2000).]
ozstamps
Nov 5, 00, 3:20 am
Pilots get the absolute highest pay for good reason. The buck stops with them. Make a wrong call and lives are clearly at risk.
All 3 flight crew were sitting in the cabin for a long time as the plane first taxied slowly, then gathered speed, down a long runway clearly lit with GREEN centre lighting, that is internationally known even to Cessna pilots as meaning the runway is not for use. Visibility was 500 metres, despite the storm. Green is not white. All three crew had two eyes. (Well, am only assuming this.)
All 3 flight crew were sitting in the cabin for a long time as the plane first taxied slowly, then gathered speed, down a long runway clearly lit with GREEN centre lighting, that is internationally known even to Cessna pilots as meaning the runway is not for use. Visibility was 500 metres, despite the storm. Green is not white. All three crew had two eyes. (Well, am only assuming this.)
doc
Nov 5, 00, 6:38 am
Some of the families of the victims of the Singapore Airlines plane crash in Taiwan are reported to have already rejected an offer of compensation from SQ.
http://news.airwise.com/stories/2000/11/973421848.html
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AND: FWIW, from what I know/recall it is not uncommon in various parts of the world for pilots to be held criminally & civially liable for their error(s) - mitigating circumstances not withstanding! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/eek.gif
I believe New Zealand may be such a place, as well as of course Singapore, where you may possibly also be imprisoned for "violations" such as gum chewing or jaywalking! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif
[This message has been edited by doc (edited 11-05-2000).]
http://news.airwise.com/stories/2000/11/973421848.html
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AND: FWIW, from what I know/recall it is not uncommon in various parts of the world for pilots to be held criminally & civially liable for their error(s) - mitigating circumstances not withstanding! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/eek.gif
I believe New Zealand may be such a place, as well as of course Singapore, where you may possibly also be imprisoned for "violations" such as gum chewing or jaywalking! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif
[This message has been edited by doc (edited 11-05-2000).]
davistev
Nov 5, 00, 6:43 am
I hope a full accident inquiry and report is completed before the crew face a Taiwanese Judge. Justice is sometimes a slow process.
Airlines must forget about about on-time performance comparisons. This concept is not compatible to safety in anyway. Mother nature is not controllable and people do screw up from time to time. Airline deaths usually occur because of a compilation of factors leading into each other.
But, it seems air crash investigators are very willing to rebuild an aircraft to determine a cause, but rarely do you hear of an accident investigation focus on corporate culture as being a contributing factor.
The last time I heard that management practices was a cause was brought up by the Aussies in the Whyalla Airlines crash in St. Vincents Gulf where "accountability" was in question. Automation of decision-making is taking common sense out of the aviation industry. This automation serves no other purpose other than to cover ones own behind if something goes wrong. All decisions must have the big safety question in mind. In my mind, on time performance bonuses did not take the safety question into account. Maybe the pilot who decides not to take off should be the one who gets the bonus.
When China Airlines landed upside down in HKG last year, the hkg media were quick to report on this very same practice by China Airlines. Often highlighting the fact that CX pilots refused to take-off and many diverted.(strong Union).
Airlines must forget about about on-time performance comparisons. This concept is not compatible to safety in anyway. Mother nature is not controllable and people do screw up from time to time. Airline deaths usually occur because of a compilation of factors leading into each other.
But, it seems air crash investigators are very willing to rebuild an aircraft to determine a cause, but rarely do you hear of an accident investigation focus on corporate culture as being a contributing factor.
The last time I heard that management practices was a cause was brought up by the Aussies in the Whyalla Airlines crash in St. Vincents Gulf where "accountability" was in question. Automation of decision-making is taking common sense out of the aviation industry. This automation serves no other purpose other than to cover ones own behind if something goes wrong. All decisions must have the big safety question in mind. In my mind, on time performance bonuses did not take the safety question into account. Maybe the pilot who decides not to take off should be the one who gets the bonus.
When China Airlines landed upside down in HKG last year, the hkg media were quick to report on this very same practice by China Airlines. Often highlighting the fact that CX pilots refused to take-off and many diverted.(strong Union).
ozstamps
Nov 5, 00, 7:17 am
What price life? "My dead Dad was worth exactly 50% more than you are offering.". Saddens me to see it bought down so callously to dollars. What do others think?
Singapore Airlines yesterday offered to pay USD$400,000 dollars to each of the families of the 81 people who died in the crash.
The relations of the victims are believed to be seeking USD$600,000 each because of what they say was an unforgivable error when the pilot tried to take off from a closed runway that was under repair.
------------------
~ Glen ~
Singapore Airlines yesterday offered to pay USD$400,000 dollars to each of the families of the 81 people who died in the crash.
The relations of the victims are believed to be seeking USD$600,000 each because of what they say was an unforgivable error when the pilot tried to take off from a closed runway that was under repair.
------------------
~ Glen ~
Guy Betsy
Nov 5, 00, 12:29 pm
Hmmm... Let's just say SQ offers US$1 million to each victim. That's $ 77 million out of pocket expenses for an airline company that has over US$2 billion 'spending' money alone! See their investments in Air NewZealand, Virgin (bought 49% for 450 million pounds) - even after all that still has lots left to spend!
doc
Nov 5, 00, 1:50 pm
FWIW, from what little I know, the courts have in the [distant] past attibuted a value of about 1 million for a human life - and then there is age, earning potential etc.
Yet, IMHO, there is NO really true and accurate value - as we ALL have those whom we love- it ain't JUST about money either! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif
Yet, IMHO, there is NO really true and accurate value - as we ALL have those whom we love- it ain't JUST about money either! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif
ozstamps
Nov 5, 00, 2:55 pm
Guy Betsy .. On another thread it was mentioned the 747 was worth about 1$160 million.
Let's see, a million $ a death. Gee whizz all those bereaved humans cost us HALF what the wrecked piece of metal on wheels cost us. Bargain. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif
Let's see, a million $ a death. Gee whizz all those bereaved humans cost us HALF what the wrecked piece of metal on wheels cost us. Bargain. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif
doc
Nov 6, 00, 6:47 am
Attention turned today to whether the Taiwan airport switched on the lights for a closed runway mistakenly used by the Singapore Airlines flight that crashed, killing 82 people.
If both sides of the runway - which was filled with construction equipment - were illuminated, the pilot could have mistaken it for a clear airstrip, said Kay Yong, managing director of Taiwan's Aviation Safety Council and chief investigator.
http://news.airwise.com/stories/2000/11/973514060.html
AND: The fiery crash of a Singapore Airlines jumbo jet on takeoff from Taiwan's capital last Tuesday, regardless of what the cause turns out to be, highlights the controversies surrounding airliner emergency-evacuation equipment and procedures.
http://travel.wsj.com/n/SB973281338557641455-main.html
[This message has been edited by doc (edited 11-07-2000).]
If both sides of the runway - which was filled with construction equipment - were illuminated, the pilot could have mistaken it for a clear airstrip, said Kay Yong, managing director of Taiwan's Aviation Safety Council and chief investigator.
http://news.airwise.com/stories/2000/11/973514060.html
AND: The fiery crash of a Singapore Airlines jumbo jet on takeoff from Taiwan's capital last Tuesday, regardless of what the cause turns out to be, highlights the controversies surrounding airliner emergency-evacuation equipment and procedures.
http://travel.wsj.com/n/SB973281338557641455-main.html
[This message has been edited by doc (edited 11-07-2000).]
doc
Nov 7, 00, 6:54 am
Investigators probing last week's deadly Singapore Airlines crash at Taiwan's Chian Kai-Shek International Airport provided a detailed description of how the jumbo jet burst into flames and broke apart while speeding down a closed runway littered with construction material.
http://news.airwise.com/stories/2000/11/973601335.html
AND: A Los Angeles man who survived the crash of a Singapore Airlines' flight in Taiwan last week that killed 82 people has sued the airline, claiming that the accident was "both foreseeable and avoidable."
John Diaz, a 50-year-old vice president with the online music distributor MP3.com Inc., sought unspecified damages for negligence and passenger liability in his lawsuit, which was filed on Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles.
http://news.airwise.com/stories/2000/11/973768211.html
[This message has been edited by doc (edited 11-09-2000).]
http://news.airwise.com/stories/2000/11/973601335.html
AND: A Los Angeles man who survived the crash of a Singapore Airlines' flight in Taiwan last week that killed 82 people has sued the airline, claiming that the accident was "both foreseeable and avoidable."
John Diaz, a 50-year-old vice president with the online music distributor MP3.com Inc., sought unspecified damages for negligence and passenger liability in his lawsuit, which was filed on Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles.
http://news.airwise.com/stories/2000/11/973768211.html
[This message has been edited by doc (edited 11-09-2000).]
doc
Nov 25, 00, 8:18 am
A Singaporean woman who survived the crash of a Singapore Airlines plane last month died from her injuries yesterday, the airline said, bringing the death toll to 83.
http://news.airwise.com/stories/2000/11/975146782.html
http://news.airwise.com/stories/2000/11/975146782.html
doc
Nov 28, 00, 12:20 pm
Singapore asks for 3 pilots in SIA crash to return The Singapore Government has made representations to the Taiwan government to allow the three pilots from the SQ 006 crash to return to Singapore as soon as possible.
However, this has been denied.
Communications and IT Minister Yeo Cheow Tong told reporters that the pilots are still needed to assist in investigations being carried out by the Taoyuan prosecutor.
http://sg .dailynews.yahoo.com/headlines/singapore/cna/article.html?s=singapore/headlines/001128/singapore/cna/Singapore_asks_for_3_pilots_in_SIA_crash_to_return .html (http://sg.dailynews.yahoo.com/headlines/singapore/cna/article.html?s=singapore/headlines/001128/singapore/cna/Singapore_asks_for_3_pilots_in_SIA_crash_to_return .html)
ALSO Complete crash probe data:
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/fc/World/Singapore_Airlines_Crash/
AND: Taiwan air safety investigators today issued a preliminary report on a Singapore Airlines crash in Taiwan that killed 83 people, ruling out problems with the Boeing 747-400 jet as the cause.
http://news.airwise.com/stories/2000/12/975788031.html
Taiwan will release the pilots of a Singapore Airlines jet that crashed in October while taking off on the wrong runway, a prosecutor said Friday.
The three men will be allowed to go home on Dec. 15. The decision came after numerous complaints from pilots, officials and crash investigators who argued that detaining the pilots for so long was unnecessary.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/world/AP-Taiwan-Singapore-Crash.html
[This message has been edited by doc (edited 12-08-2000).]
However, this has been denied.
Communications and IT Minister Yeo Cheow Tong told reporters that the pilots are still needed to assist in investigations being carried out by the Taoyuan prosecutor.
http://sg .dailynews.yahoo.com/headlines/singapore/cna/article.html?s=singapore/headlines/001128/singapore/cna/Singapore_asks_for_3_pilots_in_SIA_crash_to_return .html (http://sg.dailynews.yahoo.com/headlines/singapore/cna/article.html?s=singapore/headlines/001128/singapore/cna/Singapore_asks_for_3_pilots_in_SIA_crash_to_return .html)
ALSO Complete crash probe data:
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/fc/World/Singapore_Airlines_Crash/
AND: Taiwan air safety investigators today issued a preliminary report on a Singapore Airlines crash in Taiwan that killed 83 people, ruling out problems with the Boeing 747-400 jet as the cause.
http://news.airwise.com/stories/2000/12/975788031.html
Taiwan will release the pilots of a Singapore Airlines jet that crashed in October while taking off on the wrong runway, a prosecutor said Friday.
The three men will be allowed to go home on Dec. 15. The decision came after numerous complaints from pilots, officials and crash investigators who argued that detaining the pilots for so long was unnecessary.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/world/AP-Taiwan-Singapore-Crash.html
[This message has been edited by doc (edited 12-08-2000).]
cod
Nov 29, 00, 11:16 am
Sigh... all Doc all the time. At least he has stopped telling us about the Olympics (for now).
doc
Apr 26, 01, 7:01 am
Singapore Airlines Ltd. (P.SAL) has named Taiwan's airport authorities as a third party in all civil suits filed against the airline by the families of victims and survivors of a crash last year in Taipei, the airline's lawyer said Thursday.
"They've (the Taiwanese airport authority) been added as a third party in the U.S. litigation. It means there may be another party to share the liability," Philip Bass, SIA's legal adviser said.
http://asia.biz.yahoo.com/news/asian_markets/article.html?s=asiafinance/news/010426/asian_markets/dowjones/Singapore_Air_Names_Taiwan_Airport_In_Crash_Lawsui ts.html
"They've (the Taiwanese airport authority) been added as a third party in the U.S. litigation. It means there may be another party to share the liability," Philip Bass, SIA's legal adviser said.
http://asia.biz.yahoo.com/news/asian_markets/article.html?s=asiafinance/news/010426/asian_markets/dowjones/Singapore_Air_Names_Taiwan_Airport_In_Crash_Lawsui ts.html