Singapore A333 near Bangkok on Apr 22nd 2013, cargo fire

9V-STO after opening of cargo doorA Singapore Airlines Airbus A330-300, registration 9V-STO performing flight SQ-446 from Singapore (Singapore) to Dhaka (Bangladesh) with 105 passengers and 12 crew, was enroute at FL350 about 120nm southwest of Bangkok (Thailand) when the crew received a cargo fire indication, activated the cargo fire suppression system and decided to divert to Bangkok. During the descent towards Bangkok a burning smell developed on board of the aircraft. The aircraft landed safely on Bangkok's runway 19R about 20 minutes later. Emergency services responded, the passengers disembarked via stairs, after opening of the aft cargo door a plume of smoke became visible, fire services sprayed the cargo bay and needed more than 2 hours to control the situation. There were no injuries, the cargo was damaged, the damage to the aircraft is being assessed.

The airline confirmed a rear cargo smoke indication prompted the diversion to Bangkok, the aircraft landed safely, no injuries occurred. The passengers were provided with hotel accomodation, were rebooked onto other flights and continued their journey the following day. Thailand's Authorities are investigating, the airline is fully cooperating with the investigation. It is planned to ferry the aircraft to Singapore for further assessment after initial checks are completed.

Passengers reported the crew announced there was a minor problem, however, they needed to divert to Bangkok. The aircraft landed safely with emergency services on stand by and proceeded to the apron, where the passengers disembarked. Only after a large plume of smoke became visible after opening of the cargo bay everyone realised how critical the situation had been.

Thailand's accident investigation board has opened an investigation.

On Jul 1st 2014 Singapore's AAIB released an interim report indicating that the investigation has been delegated to the Singapore AAIB. The AAIB reported that the crew received an aft and bulk cargo smoke indication in flight at FL360 over the Gulf of Thailand about 8nm from Thailand's coast. The crew activated the cargo fire extinguishing agent and diverted to the nearest airport Bangkok. The smoke indication remained active even after the agent had been discharged. The aircraft landed safely on Bangkok's runway 19R, vacated the runway and taxied to a parking bay where emergency services performed an exterior inspection. No smoke or fire was visible from the aft and bulk cargo doors, the passengers disembarked via stairs. The AAIB then continued: "The Bangkok ARFF service tended to the aft cargo compartment where smoke was billowing from the aft cargo door. While unloading cargo container 42L, the contents burst into flames. The ARFF used a combination of water and carbon dioxide to extinguish the fire."

Cargo being unloaded from the aircraft: