What happened
On the night of 28 February 2002, an Arrow Air McDonnell Douglas DC8-62, registration N180 and 8E, landed at Singapore Changi Airport on Runway 02L. Following landing, the flight crew was instructed to taxi to a remote parking bay, Bay 117.
During the taxi sequence, the aircraft bypassed its intended parking position. After realizing the error, air traffic controllers provided a revised route to guide the aircraft back to the assigned bay. While following this return path along Taxiway WA, the pilot observed a ground marshaller at Bay 117. The pilot then executed a right turn toward the marshaller, which caused the aircraft to deviate from the taxiway centerline and enter a grass area. The aircraft's nose gear crossed over a drain, and the main landing gears subsequently became lodged in the same drain, bringing the aircraft to a halt. There were no injuries to the three crew members on board.
The investigation
The investigation examined the taxi route, the lighting conditions, and the actions of both the flight crew and air traffic control. Investigators noted that ongoing construction works at the airport had resulted in a lack of taxiway centerline lighting on a specific segment of the route. Furthermore, a NOTAM was in effect stating that during darkness, certain bays should only be accessed via towing due to these lighting limitations. The investigation also reviewed the communications between the Changi Tower and the aircraft, as well as the visual signals provided by the ground marshaller.