A Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) T-50B belonging to the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) Black Eagles aerobatic team was heavily damaged in an incident when taking off from Changi International Airport’s Runway 02L/20R on Tuesday, the first day of the Singapore Airshow. The team was to have been the closing act in the show's opening day display, for which participants had been practicing for the past few days.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), the incident took place at around 1:24 p.m., when the aircraft “skidded and crashed into the grass verge at the side of Changi Airport’s Runway [02L/20R] and caught fire."
Based on videos and photographs circulating online, the Black Eagles number 6 jet suffered a burst tire, resulting in a trail of smoke before it flipped over on the grass verge by the runway. The wings also showed significant damage. The pilot was extricated by airport emergency services and suffered minor injuries, according to reports.
Changi's Runway 02L/20R was closed for some time, with the Changi Airport Group issuing an announcement on potential flight delays due to the single runway operation and resulting backlog. According to airshow organizer Experia Events, the ROKAF team will not perform in Wednesday's flying display.
A Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) T-50B belonging to the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) Black Eagles aerobatic team was heavily damaged in an incident when taking off from Changi International Airport’s Runway 02L/20R yesterday. The team was to have been part of Singapore Airshow’s opening aerial display, for which it had been practicing for the past few days.
According to a Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) statement, the incident took place at around 1:24 pm, when the aircraft “skidded and crashed into the grass verge at the side of Changi Airport’s Runway [02L/20R] and caught fire. “
Based on videos and photos circulating online, the Black Eagles 6 suffered a burst tire, resulting in a trail of smoke before it flipped over on the grass verge by the runway. The wings also showed significant damage.
The pilot was extricated by the airport emergency services and suffered minor injuries, according to early reports.
Changi's Runway 1 was still closed at press time with the Changi Airport Group issuing an announcement on potential flight delays due to the single runway operation and resulting backlog.
The team terminated its routine, but the opening show by the other teams was unaffected as the Black Eagles was the last team scheduled to perform. According to show organizer Experia, the team will not perform today.