On October 27, 2024, a Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight bound for Tokyo encountered an unexpected issue mid-flight when a crack was discovered in the aircraft's windshield. The incident involved flight SQ636, a Boeing 777-300ER (Reg. 9V-SWI), which was carrying 249 passengers and 17 crew members. The flight had taken off from Singapore's Changi Airport at approximately 11:07 PM on Sunday, with an expected arrival at Tokyo's Haneda Airport at 6:20 AM on Monday. However, the flight was forced to divert to Taiwan's Taoyuan International Airport after the crack was identified.
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The decision to divert was made to ensure the safety of all on board, as a cracked windshield could potentially compromise the aircraft's structural integrity or lead to further damage. The SIA spokesperson confirmed that the flight landed "uneventfully" at Taoyuan International Airport around 4 AM on Monday. At this time, the aircraft underwent immediate inspection to assess the damage and ensure that there were no other issues that needed addressing.
Passengers on the flight were initially kept informed through cabin announcements, with the pilot announcing the diversion approximately 30 minutes before landing, citing "technical issues." After landing, Singapore Airlines arranged for hotel accommodations for the affected passengers, reflecting the airline's commitment to minimizing passenger inconvenience during such incidents. The flight was subsequently renumbered to SQ9876 for its rescheduled departure from Taipei to Tokyo, set to take off at 8:30 PM on Monday. This rescheduling resulted in a delay of about 18 hours for the passengers.
The exact cause of the windshield crack has not been disclosed, but these incidents can occur due to various reasons including thermal stress, foreign object impact, or material fatigue. Modern aircraft are designed with multiple layers of glass and polycarbonate to mitigate risks associated with such cracks, ensuring safety even if one layer is compromised. Singapore Airlines issued an apology to all affected customers for the inconvenience caused, emphasizing that the safety of passengers and crew remains their utmost priority. This incident, while disruptive, underscores the rigorous safety protocols airlines follow to handle emergencies and the importance of maintaining aircraft integrity in flight.