Airbus Updates No.985

Accident: Singapore A333 near Bangkok on Apr 22nd 2013, cargo fire

By Simon Hradecky, created Tuesday, Apr 23rd 2013 19:18Z, last updated Tuesday, Apr 23rd 2013 19:18Z A Singapore Airlines Airbus A330-300, registration 9V-STO performing flight SQ-446 from Singapore (Singapore) to Dhaka (Bangladesh) with 117 passengers, was enroute at FL350 about 120nm southwest of Bangkok (Thailand) when the crew received a cargo fire indication, activated the cargo fire suppression system and decided to divert to Bangkok. During the descent towards Bangkok a burning smell developed on board of the aircraft. The aircraft landed safely on Bangkok's runway 19R about 20 minutes later. Emergency services responded, after opening the aft cargo door a plume of smoke became visible, fire services sprayed the cargo bay and needed more than 2 hours to control the situation. There were no injuries, the cargo was damaged, the damage to the aircraft is being assessed. Thailand's accident investigation board has opened an investigation.