SINGAPORE- Singapore Airlines (SQ) flight SQ31 returned to San Francisco after an “unruly” passenger injured himself during the flight to Singapore. The aircraft landed safely at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), and the passenger was handed over to local authorities.
The passenger incident occurred several hours after departure, according to unverified accounts from people who said they were on the flight. Singapore Airlines did not confirm claims that the passenger attempted to reach or pull an emergency exit.
Singapore Airlines Flight SQ31 Turns Back to San Francisco
Singapore Airlines flight SQ31 departed San Francisco at 11:51 AM local time on Wednesday, Oct. 14, bound for Singapore. The departure time was 2:51 AM on Thursday, Oct. 15, in Singapore.
The airline said a passenger on board became unruly and injured himself during the incident. Singapore Airlines said the pilots assessed the situation and decided to return the aircraft to San Francisco.
The aircraft landed uneventfully at San Francisco International Airport at 8:41 pm on Wednesday, or 11:41 AM Singapore time on Thursday. The passenger was handed over to local authorities after the aircraft returned.
Several Reddit users who identified themselves as passengers on SQ31 posted accounts about the incident. Their accounts could not be independently verified.
One user claimed that about three hours after take-off, a man began screaming and kicking seats before trying to reach an emergency exit. The user also said the passenger continued causing a disturbance after being restrained.
Another Reddit user who claimed to have been on the flight alleged that the passenger had been trying to pull an emergency exit during the flight.
The Business Times could not independently verify the Reddit accounts. Singapore Airlines also did not confirm whether the passenger had attempted to open or reach an emergency exit or whether he had been restrained.
The confirmed information from Singapore Airlines is that the passenger became unruly, injured himself and was handed over to local authorities after the aircraft returned to San Francisco, The Business Times reported.
SQ31 Reached the North Pacific Before Turning Back
FlightAware tracking data showed that SQ31 had travelled well into the North Pacific before turning back toward San Francisco. The flight was operated by an Airbus A350-900.
FlightAware recorded a total travel time of about eight hours and 40 minutes for the aborted journey. The aircraft therefore spent several hours in flight before returning to its departure airport.
Flight Later Departed With a New Crew
Singapore Airlines said the delayed SQ31 subsequently departed San Francisco at 11:18 pm on Wednesday, Oct. 14. That was 2:18 pm Singapore time on Thursday, Oct. 15.
The airline said the later departure operated with a new set of crew members.
Singapore Airlines apologised to affected passengers for the disruption and said it was providing assistance, including rebooking connecting flights.
The airline also said it was working closely with the relevant authorities on the matter.
The Business Times reported the incident after receiving a response from Singapore Airlines. The airline has not confirmed the specific actions alleged in the Reddit accounts.
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