Singapore Airlines A350 Grounded After Tail Strike Incident at Changi Airport

SINGAPORE (Azat TV) – A Singapore Airlines Airbus A350-900 aircraft has been grounded for repairs after sustaining tail damage during a rejected landing attempt at Singapore Changi Airport on January 24, 2026. The incident, attributed to strong winds, occurred during an initial approach for Flight SQ917 from Manila, underscoring the operational challenges airlines face in adverse weather and highlighting the robust safety margins built into modern aviation.

The widebody aircraft, registered 9V-SHW, was carrying 256 passengers and 16 crew members. Despite the tail strike, the flight crew successfully executed a go-around and landed safely on a second attempt approximately 25 minutes later. No injuries were reported among those on board, and all passengers and crew disembarked normally.

The Incident: A Challenging Approach

The event unfolded on the evening of January 24, 2026, when Flight SQ917 initiated its first landing approach on runway 02L at approximately 6:07 p.m. local time. According to Singapore Airlines, the approach was aborted due to unfavorable wind conditions prevailing at Changi Airport. During this rejected landing, the aircraft’s tail made contact with the runway surface.

A rejected landing, also known as a go-around, is a standard safety maneuver where pilots discontinue the landing process shortly before or immediately after touchdown. While common, these maneuvers demand precise handling, particularly under challenging meteorological conditions such as strong, gusty winds or directional variability often seen during monsoon periods in regions like Singapore.

Following the go-around, the Airbus A350-900 climbed to about 4,000 feet, repositioned for a second approach, and landed safely on runway 02R at approximately 6:32 p.m. Flight tracking data from FlightRadar24 confirmed the sequence of events. The aircraft then taxied to the terminal without further incident.

Aircraft Grounded Amid Inspection and Repairs

Images circulated on social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), by accounts such as Breaking Aviation News, showed visible scrape marks on the underside of the aircraft’s tail, consistent with a tail strike. Singapore Airlines officially confirmed the damage and stated that the aircraft has been removed from service and is currently undergoing detailed inspections and repairs.

The airline described the damage as ‘minor,’ though industry standard procedures mandate thorough structural inspections following a tail strike. These checks typically include the rear pressure bulkhead, fuselage skin, and associated internal structures to ensure airworthiness. The aircraft, delivered to Singapore Airlines in 2021 and powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-84 engines, remained on the ground in Singapore as of January 27, 2026.

Singapore Airlines also confirmed that the incident did not cause any disruption to overall airport operations or subsequent flight schedules, indicating that the airline’s contingency measures effectively managed the impact of the grounded aircraft.

Understanding Tail Strikes and Aviation Safety

A tail strike occurs when the lower rear fuselage of an aircraft contacts the runway, most commonly due to an excessive nose-up pitch. Industry data suggests that roughly 65 percent of tail strikes happen during landing, while about 25 percent occur during takeoff. Go-arounds, while a critical safety procedure, introduce additional risks as pilots must simultaneously apply high thrust and manage pitch during a high-workload phase of flight.

Modern aircraft are equipped with multiple systems designed to mitigate these risks. Airbus aircraft, for instance, feature pitch limit indicators on the Primary Flight Display and audible ‘PITCH PITCH’ warnings if pitch limits are exceeded below 400 feet. Boeing has also implemented automated tail strike protection on certain models, such as the 777-300ER, which adjusts elevator inputs to prevent over-rotation during takeoff. These technological safeguards complement, but do not replace, precise pilot control, especially in challenging conditions.

Broader Context: Similar Incidents Highlight Risks

This incident involving Singapore Airlines follows a similar event that recently affected Cathay Pacific. That airline grounded an Airbus A350-1000 after it sustained a tail strike during a missed approach at Hong Kong International Airport. That aircraft, operating a scheduled service from Ho Chi Minh City, encountered an unstable approach, prompting the flight crew to initiate a go-around. During the maneuver, the aircraft’s tail made contact with the runway as thrust and pitch were increased.

Despite the strike, the Cathay Pacific A350-1000 climbed normally, repositioned, and landed safely on its second attempt, arriving approximately 34 minutes behind schedule. No injuries were reported. That aircraft, approximately four years old, also remained grounded for several days for detailed structural inspections and repairs.

These recent occurrences underscore the inherent complexities of aviation operations, particularly in dynamic weather environments, and demonstrate how layered safety systems, rigorous pilot training, and stringent regulatory oversight collectively work to ensure that even when unexpected events occur, the safety of passengers and crew remains paramount.