Incident Overview
On 27 July 2021, at approximately 2011 hours local time, an Airbus A320, registration 9V-JSM, operated by JetStar Asia, departed from Runway 20L at Singapore Changi Airport. During the take-off roll, all runway lights were off. The flight crew noticed the absence of runway centreline lights and dimmer edge lights but proceeded with the take-off. After becoming airborne, the crew reported the unlit runway to the runway controller (RWC3), who then activated the lights. The flight continued uneventfully. No injuries were reported and the aircraft was undamaged.
Flight Crew Actions
The Pilot-in-Command (PIC) was the pilot flying, and the First Officer (FO) was the pilot monitoring. When entering Runway 20L, both pilots observed that the runway edge lights were on but appeared dimmer than usual, and the centreline lights were off. They could not recall whether the runway end lights were on. The FO considered suggesting to query air traffic control but waited to see the PIC's actions. The PIC assessed that the operator's standard operating procedures did not require centreline lights for night take-off, the edge lights were on, and the runway was visible, so he decided to proceed. The FO concurred. However, the operator's SOP actually required runway end lights to be on in combination with either edge or centreline lights. The crew had not checked the end lights.
Air Traffic Control Factors
The runway controller (RWC3) was responsible for activating the runway lights during darkness. On the incident day, a maintenance activity unrelated to lighting triggered repeated aural alarms at RWC3's control position from 1926h to 2034h, distracting her. She had forgotten to switch on the runway lights. RWC3 looked out the tower and checked her ground movement radar, but the view appeared normal for night operations. However, due to the bi-directional design of Runway 3's lights, they are difficult to see from the tower, especially within about 500m on either side of the tower.
Aircraft and Personnel Details
The Airbus A320 (9V-JSM) was on a scheduled passenger flight to Jakarta. The PIC, aged 42, held an Airline Transport Pilot Licence and had 12,193 total flying hours. The FO, aged 50, also held an Airline Transport Pilot Licence and had 6,706 total flying hours. Both had valid medical certificates. RWC3 was a 34-year-old female controller rated to operate at Changi since 2015.
Lighting System Characteristics
Runway 3 (20L/02R) is equipped with bi-directional edge and centreline lights that shine mainly toward aircraft at either end of the runway. This design makes it nearly impossible for controllers in the Changi East Tower to see the lights on the runway section near the tower. This characteristic contributed to the controller's inability to visually confirm that the lights were off.