Saudi Arabian Airlines Flight SV-781 Bomb Threat Evacuation (HZ-AIP)

Incident Overview and Response Details On 8 September 2005, Saudi Arabian Airlines Flight SV-781, a Boeing 747-368 registered HZ-AIP, was preparing for takeoff from Bandaranaike International Airport in Sri Lanka. The aircraft was taxiing toward Runway 22 for a scheduled flight to Jeddah via Riyadh when air traffic control received an anonymous bomb threat. The captain was instructed to move the aircraft to an isolated parking position on the parallel taxiway near taxiway Bravo. ## Evacuation and Casualties The captain initially requested stepladders for deplaning but, due to delays, ordered an evacuation using the aircraft slides. The L1 slide was inoperative, and the L2 and L4 slides were twisted by high surface winds, rendering those doors unusable. The remaining doors, including upper deck exits and the R3 overwing exit, were used. The evacuation resulted in one passenger death, nineteen serious injuries, and seventy-five minor injuries. The fatal victim was a female passenger who succumbed to injuries sustained during the evacuation. Medical personnel later determined that only three of the initially identified serious injuries were severe: a limb fracture, a shoulder fracture, and suspected internal head injuries. ## Aircraft and Operational Factors The aircraft sustained no damage, and there was no fire. The investigation noted that the aerodrome control tower's intercom system lacked caller identification, and the controller did not prolong the call to determine the caller's identity. Additionally, a communication failure between fire and rescue services and ATC occurred due to the emergency communication system reaching its capacity limit. The ground handler also experienced a VHF communication malfunction. The airport had a documented emergency plan for bomb threats, and the crew complied with ATC clearances and standard operating procedures.