Flight History
On 24 October 2022, a Boeing 777-300ER, registration 9V-SWH, operated by Singapore Airlines departed London Heathrow Airport for Singapore Changi Airport. The aircraft had 106,164 kg of fuel on board. The planned alternate airports were Paya Lebar Air Base, Kuala Lumpur International Airport, and Senai International Airport. The flight crew consisted of two Captains and one First Officer; the First Officer was the pilot flying and the Pilot-in-Command was the pilot monitoring.
Weather and Diversion Decision
Prior to arrival, the Terminal Aerodrome Forecast for Changi Airport indicated possible light to moderate thunderstorms. While en route, Singapore Approach Control informed the crew to expect landing on Runway 20R. However, due to a tailwind and inclement weather, the aircraft was instructed to hold over waypoint PASPU. The weather radar showed heavy precipitation over Changi Airport and the two alternate airports (Paya Lebar Air Base and Senai International Airport), while the weather over Hang Nadim International Airport in Batam, Indonesia, appeared fine. The crew considered a diversion to Batam Airport, noting that the distance was similar to Changi.
At 0831 UTC, the pilot monitoring informed Singapore Approach Control that they could perform only one hold and would be down to emergency fuel. Later, they indicated they could perform a second hold, after which they would need to divert. Air traffic control coordinated with Tanjung Pinang Approach Control for the diversion.
Approach and Landing
After the second hold, the aircraft was vectored heading 180°, away from both Changi and Batam Airports, as Tanjung Pinang Approach Control had not yet approved the diversion. The crew performed an orbit instead of a hold. Eventually, the aircraft diverted to Batam Airport. The crew made three unsuccessful attempts to land on Runway 22. On the fourth attempt, the aircraft landed at 0919 UTC with low final reserve fuel.
Fuel Situation
The final reserve fuel requirement for the aircraft was 3,024 kg, equivalent to 30 minutes of holding at 1,500 feet. The estimated fuel on landing at Changi was 7,000 kg before the holds, but after the holds and diversion, the aircraft landed with fuel below that reserve.
Personnel and Aircraft
The aircraft was a B777-300ER with two GE90-115B engines. Both engines had accumulated significant hours and cycles since new. The flight crew held valid licenses. The second captain was not in the flight deck at the time of the occurrence, which was not required by the operator.
Occurrence Classification
The Transport Safety Investigation Bureau classified this occurrence as an incident. The investigation focused on the flight crew's decision making and understanding of minimum fuel.