SINGAPORE- Singapore Airlines (SQ), Singapore’s national carrier, has received widespread praise after its pilots safely landed an Airbus A350-900 at Perth Airport (PER) despite strong winds on October 31.
Flight SQ213, operating from Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) to Perth, encountered challenging wind conditions during its landing approach. The pilots abandoned the initial attempt, performed a go-around, and landed the aircraft successfully at 12.30 PM local time.
Singapore Airlines Pilots Handle Challenging Landing
Videos shared on Facebook by user Chris Perry on October 31 showed the Singapore Airlines aircraft approaching the runway at Perth Airport before tilting noticeably to its right. The aircraft’s right wing came close to the ground as it descended towards the runway.
The pilots discontinued the landing attempt and took the aircraft back into the air. They subsequently made another approach, during which the aircraft completed an uneventful landing.
Perry later uploaded a second video showing the successful landing. He also claimed that his sister was travelling on the flight.
The first video attracted considerable attention on social media. As of 11 PM on November 1, it had received more than 7,200 likes and over 1,800 comments.
Several social media users praised the Singapore Airlines pilots for their handling of the challenging landing approach.
Commenter Sampath Gur acknowledged that the incident must have been “pretty frightening for many on board”. He also praised the airline for its reputation for selecting and training highly capable pilots.
Another commenter, Yolanda Malojer, highlighted the aircraft’s close proximity to the ground and described the pilot’s response as calm and skilled.
Her comment read: “Inches away from death, literally. That was a very calm and skilled pilot.”
The reactions reflected public appreciation for the pilots’ decision to discontinue the initial approach rather than continue with a difficult landing.
Singapore Airlines Confirms Go-Around During Flight SQ213
The Straits Times reported that a Singapore Airlines spokesperson confirmed on November 1 that flight SQ213 had experienced strong winds while approaching Perth International Airport on October 31.
“As a result, the pilots decided to conduct a go-around,” the spokesperson said.
The airline did not identify the pilots involved in the flight.
According to the spokesperson, the aircraft was an Airbus A350-900. It landed safely at 12.30 PM local time and subsequently taxied to the airport gate.
The airline also reiterated its commitment to passenger and crew safety, stating: “The safety of our customers and crew is SIA’s top priority.”
What Is a Go-Around in Aviation?
A go-around is a standard aviation manoeuvre in which pilots discontinue a landing approach and return the aircraft to a suitable altitude and configuration to attempt another landing.
According to the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), pilots can perform a go-around at their discretion or following a request from an air traffic controller.
The manoeuvre allows pilots to discontinue an approach when conditions do not support a safe landing. They can then reposition the aircraft and prepare for another approach.
In the case of flight SQ213, the pilots decided to conduct a go-around after encountering strong winds during the approach to Perth Airport.
Perth Airport Records Strong Winds During Landing
Weather data from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology showed that wind speeds at Perth Airport reached 32 km/h at 12.30 PM on October 31, with gusts reaching 43 km/h.
These measurements provide additional context for the challenging conditions captured in the landing footage.
Despite the strong winds and the difficult initial approach, the Singapore Airlines pilots completed the subsequent landing safely. The Airbus A350-900 reached the airport gate without any reported landing-related incident in the airline’s statement.
The incident highlights the role of go-around procedures in commercial aviation and the importance of pilot judgement when weather conditions affect a landing approach.
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