SINGAPORE – A Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight bound for the Republic from Melbourne returned to the Melbourne Airport on Oct 29 after the aircraft experienced a technical issue while in the air.
According to Flightradar24, a flight data site, the aircraft took off at about 4.50pm local time and circled around the north of the Australian city before it headed back to the airport an hour later.
Media outlets in Australia reported that the aircraft experienced a technical issue, 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.”
The aircraft took off at about 4.50pm local time and circled around the north of Melbourne before it headed back to Melbourne Airport.
PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM FLIGHTRADAR24
The Straits Times has contacted SIA for more information.
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, with some saying that the aircraft was dumping fuel.
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 7 hours and 45 minutes.
