Their job is to pick up debris on airport runways: Rags, dead birds - any foreign object that should not be there, so planes can land safely. But last week, two airport maintenance personnel were in a van parked on the runway when a Singapore Airlines plane landed, said Changi Airport Group (CAG).
The plane's wing tip narrowly missed the van.The runway incursion is being investigated by the Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) at the Ministry of Transport.Last Thursday, just after 11am, SQ001 was approaching Changi Airport.An SIA spokesman said the Boeing 777- 300ER plane with 194 passengers and 15 crew members on board was landing after flying from Hong Kong.At that point, a yellow maintenance van had entered the runway, with two people inside.The van was taking personnel to the runways to clear debris
As part of operating procedure when entering the runway area, the vans' occupants are supposed to contact the control tower, which then gives them permission to enter, The New Paper understands.Once in, the vehicle is supposed to wait at a holding area for permission to approach the runway.But that morning, the van apparently approached the runway without heading to the waiting area. It is understood its occupants believed they had the goahead to do so.Their van was stationary as the plane landed and barrelled towards them.
The plane's wing tip narrowly missed the van.They then drove out of the area. The SIA spokesman said yesterday there were no injuries and no damage to the aircraft.SUSPENDEDTNP understands both men who were in the van have been suspended. An AAIB spokesman said it had been informed of the incident and is currently investigating.
A CAG spokesman said it takes the matter seriously and is also conducting its own investigation.MP Ang Hin Kee, a member of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Transport, said that while the incident should not be taken lightly, people should not be quick to assign blame.
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