Singapore Airlines plane bursts into flames making emergency landing

Airline officials confirmed that none of the 222 passengers or 19 members of staff were injured

Passengers on board a Singapore Airlines aircraft have described the terrifying moment it burst into flames during an emergency landing at Changi Airport.

The SQ368 flight to Milan was forced to turn back to after an oil leak was discovered two hours into the journey at around 6.50am local time on Monday.

An emergency landing was initiated, but the plane’s right engine burst into flames soon after the aircraft touched down on the runway at Changi.

Lee Bee Yee, 43, who was on board the plane at the time, said in a Facebook post: “I just escaped death!!!!”.

Ms Yee went on to describe how passengers were asked to remain on the plane for a “heart-wrenching” five minutes as fire-fighters attempted to dampen the flames.

“They shot foam and water into the fire and eventually it was put out! We were so close to death,” she said. “I thank God I am alive! I[‘m[ going home to hug my kids.”

Airport officials confirmed that the fire was extinguished within minutes once it reached the ground, and all 222 passengers and 19 members of crew were evacuated safely without injury.

"The aircraft's right engine caught fire after the aircraft touched down at Changi Airport at around 6:50am,' the airline said in a statement. “Passengers disembarked through stairs and were transported to the terminal building by bus. Passengers will be transferred to another aircraft which is expected to depart for Milan later today”.

Ms Yee said she had smelt what she thought was gasoline on board.

“We were informed by the pilot that there was a leak, and that the plane would have to return to Changi Airport as it did not have enough fuel for the journey.”

“The blaze was quite fierce and we waited for around two to three minutes before the fire engines arrived,' she said.

Singapore Airlines confirmed that an investigation into the fault is underway.