Emergency landing raises safety concerns: nine injured as Air China jetliner encounters engine fire at Changi Airport

Nine passengers sustained injuries on September 10 when an Air China jetliner made an emergency landing at Changi Airport after an engine fire sent smoke billowing into the cabin. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of one of China's major airlines.

The Airbus A320, carrying 146 passengers and nine crew members, was en route from Chengdu, located in China's Sichuan province, to Singapore when the terrifying incident occurred at approximately 4:15 p.m. local time. Changi Airport promptly issued a statement on its Facebook page, confirming the emergency landing.

During the evacuation, nine individuals suffered minor injuries attributed to smoke inhalation and abrasions, according to the airport's statement. The passengers' ordeal began when the pilot declared an emergency due to smoke detection in both the forward cargo hold and one of the lavatories. As a result of the smoke, cabin lights became obscured, and flight attendants instructed passengers to remain seated and composed, particularly after some had attempted to stand.

The fire emanating from the left engine was successfully extinguished following the emergency landing, as reported by Chinese media outlets. A preliminary investigation conducted by Air China indicated that a mechanical failure within the engine was the root cause of the fire, a statement posted on social media early September 11 read.

As the investigation into the incident continues, questions regarding the overall safety of Air China and China's aviation industry as a whole have surfaced. Notably, China has made significant strides in improving air safety standards in the wake of a series of fatal crashes during the 1990s and early 2000s, a period marked by rapid expansion in the airline sector. The nation's aviation safety record had generally improved, with few exceptions.

One such exception, however, was the tragic crash of a China Eastern Airlines jetliner in March 2022. The aircraft crashed into a mountainside, claiming the lives of all 132 people on board, reminding the industry and regulators that safety remains a paramount concern.

The latest incident involving Air China underscores the importance of stringent safety measures and continued vigilance in the aviation industry. Passengers and experts alike are eagerly awaiting the results of the ongoing investigation to shed light on the specific factors that led to this potentially catastrophic event and to ensure that necessary measures are taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

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