Flight History
On 2 March 2023, an Airbus A380-842, registration A6-EVJ, operated by Emirates, was on a scheduled flight from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to Singapore. The Pilot-in-Command (PIC) was the Pilot Flying (PF) and the First Officer (FO) was the Pilot Monitoring (PM). No anomalies with aircraft systems were reported during the flight.
Approach and Landing
As the aircraft approached Singapore Changi Airport, weather information indicated good conditions at the estimated landing time. The flight crew received the latest Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS), which did not report rain. However, during the instrument landing system (ILS) approach to Runway 02L, both pilots observed clouds and used weather radar, concluding the build-up was not significant.
At about 1424h, the Runway Controller informed the crew that the preceding aircraft saw the approach lights at 3 nm. The flight crew saw the approach lights at the same distance and the runway before descending past 200 ft above ground level (AGL). The PF reported a sudden increase in rain intensity that affected his handling, and the wipers on high speed made the view alternatingly clear and blurry.
At 180 ft AGL, the PF disengaged the autopilot. Shortly after, both pilots noticed the aircraft drifting right of the extended runway centreline. The PM called out "centreline". The PF applied sidestick inputs but perceived the offset as acceptable. When the aircraft was about 30 ft AGL, the PM called "go-around". The PF responded with "no it's OK", later stating he did not understand the call but responded to focus on landing. The PM called "go-around" again at touchdown, but the PF did not hear it and continued the landing.
Flight data recorder (FDR) data showed that at about 15 ft AGL, the PF applied a sharp left rudder input (2° to 9°) and left roll, causing a heading change left but the aircraft continued drifting right. The rudder was neutralized and right roll applied, resulting in a bank angle of up to 4° right. The aircraft touched down to the right of the runway near the edge line and veered further right. The PF believed he was within runway limits. The aircraft was steered back toward the centreline and thrust reversers were applied.
Aftermath
At the same time, the Watch Manager at Changi Tower saw all runway edge light icons turn blue on the Advanced Surface Movement Guidance and Control System (A-SMGCS) screen, indicating a fault. The Fault Management Centre reported three adjacent runway edge lights inoperative. The flight crew received an Electronic Centralised Aircraft Monitor (ECAM) message for low tyre pressure at about 80 kts. After taxiing to the stand, ground staff informed the crew of a punctured right-hand main landing gear (RH MLG) tyre. At 1509h, the crew informed ATC of the puncture.
ATC sent a runway inspection vehicle at 1512h, which found no foreign object debris. Later, another inspection vehicle at 1616h found three broken runway edge lights with debris on the runway shoulder and grass area, as well as on Taxiway. The RH MLG had departed the runway briefly during the excursion.