Scoot Faced Shocking Emergency Landings: How Singapore’s National Carrier Escaped Disaster Revealing New Explosive Matters That Travellers Should Know

Published on November 24, 2025

Scoot, the low‑cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, experienced several emergency landings and significant diversions between January 2022 and November 2025. The incidents range from technical faults requiring a return to the departure airport to unusual events such as an overheated power bank and clear‑air turbulence. The following chronology summarises each event based on government investigation reports and officially verified statements from the airline.

July 2022 – technical fault on Perth–Singapore flight

On 11 July 2022, flight TR009 departed Perth for Singapore. About twenty minutes after take‑off, a fault was detected at 7.40 pm and the crew decided to return to Perth. Scoot’s public statement noted that spare parts needed for repairs were not available locally, so the flight could not continue that day. The airline offered non‑local customers hotel accommodation and provided rebooking options either on flight TR009 scheduled for the following evening or on a relief flight. Local passengers were advised to return to their residences[1]. The incident demonstrates Scoot’s policy of aborting flights when maintenance issues are detected and arranging alternative transport for customers. No injuries or damage were reported.

June 2023 – nose‑wheel detached on B787‑9

On 18 June 2023, a Scoot Boeing 787‑9 (registration 9V‑OJF) operated a multi‑sector flight from Singapore to Incheon and then to Taipei and back to Singapore. After arriving in Taipei, maintenance personnel discovered that the left‑hand nose‑landing‑gear wheel and axle were missing[2]. Investigators later found the wheel and axle along the aircraft’s taxi route at Incheon Airport[3]. The Transport Safety Investigation Bureau (TSIB) of Singapore classified the occurrence as an accident[4]. According to the final report, the nose wheel probably separated during pushback due to corrosion and bearing failure. The crew saw no indications of abnormality during taxiing or take‑off[5]. Air traffic authorities only informed the crew while the aircraft was en route to Taipei; they then monitored tyre‑pressure indicators and landed normally at Taipei without a nose wheel. All 343 passengers and 11 crew members on board were unharmed[6]. The incident underscores the importance of robust maintenance and communication protocols when mechanical issues arise.

February 2024 – runway incursion at Changi

Early on 5 February 2024, a Korean Air Boeing 787‑9 (Aircraft A) landed on Changi Airport’s runway 02C. While Aircraft A was still taxiing off the runway via rapid‑exit taxiway T6, a runway controller granted landing clearance to Scoot flight TR895 (Aircraft B) approximately 2 nautical miles from the threshold[7]. The controller assumed the first aircraft would vacate quickly, but Aircraft A stopped temporarily at a bifurcation. Despite noticing that Aircraft A was still on the exit taxiway, the controller allowed the Scoot aircraft to continue landing, judging that a go‑around might be riskier[8]. The Scoot aircraft landed and passed behind Aircraft A without incident[9]. The TSIB classified the event as a runway incursion and an incident (not an accident)[10]. Although this episode did not require an emergency landing, it is notable because it involved a potential collision hazard that depended on the Scoot crew’s ability to land safely on a compromised runway.

April 2024 – smell of smoke on Bali‑bound flight

On 30 April 2024, flight TR280 departed Singapore for Denpasar (Bali) at 7:33 am. Shortly after take‑off, passengers smelled smoke in the cabin, prompting concerns about a fire. Scoot’s spokesman told journalists that the smell of smoke was detected soon after departure, so the crew chose to return to Singapore as a precaution[11]. The aircraft, a Boeing 787‑9, landed back at Changi at 8:27 am. A replacement aircraft later flew passengers to Bali at 12:40 pm, and those affected received meal vouchers[12]. Scoot apologised and reiterated that the safety of passengers and crew is its top priority[13]. The airline did not disclose the precise cause of the smell, but noted that the decision to turn back was a precautionary measure. There were no reported injuries.

September 2024 – severe turbulence en route to Guangzhou

During descent into Guangzhou on 6 September 2024, a Scoot Boeing 787‑9 (registration 9V‑OJD) encountered unexpected clear‑air turbulence near waypoint TAMOT. According to the TSIB’s final report, weather forecasts indicated embedded cumulonimbus clouds due to Typhoon Yagi, but the flight crew assessed the flight path as clear and switched off the fasten‑seat‑belt signs to allow passengers to use the lavatories[14]. While descending through 18,700 feet, the aircraft suddenly hit severe turbulence. One passenger and one cabin crew member sustained serious injuries[15]. The crew regained control and continued to Guangzhou, where the flight landed safely. Investigators classified the turbulence encounter as an accident because it resulted in serious injuries[15]. The report emphasised the importance of proactive seat‑belt use during flight in areas susceptible to clear‑air turbulence.

February 2025 – Xi’an technical issue with alleged sparks

On 23 February 2025, flight TR135 departed Xi’an Xianyang International Airport for Singapore in the early hours. Passengers reported seeing orange flashing lights and alleged sparks on the left engine shortly after take‑off, leading to claims that the engine had caught fire[16]. Scoot later confirmed that the Airbus A321neo aircraft returned to Xi’an about 20 minutesafter take‑off due to a technical issue, not an engine fire[17]. Emergency services were activated as a precaution, and the plane landed safely at 1:56 am[18]. Engineers required more time to resolve the problem, so the airline cancelled the flight and rebooked passengers on a later service[19]. Scoot apologised for the disruption and emphasised that safety remains its top priority.

November 2025 – power‑bank fire on Hong Kong–Singapore flight

On 22 November 2025, flight TR939 from Hong Kong to Singapore experienced a small onboard fire. Scoot reported that a passenger’s rechargeable power bank overheated, causing a small flame that was quickly extinguished by cabin crew[20]. Passengers smelled burning as the plane prepared to land, and cabin crew moved the item to a secure location[21]. The aircraft continued to Singapore and landed uneventfully at 9:06 pm[22]. No injuries were reported. A separate news report described emergency services boarding the aircraft after landing to confirm that there were no casualties; flight‑tracking data showed the flight departed later than scheduled and arrived without holding patterns[23]. Scoot apologised for the incident, noted that emergency services were on standby, and reiterated that passenger and crew safety is paramount[24]. The event underscores the importance of safe handling of personal electronic devices on aircraft.

Context and observations

Safety culture and responsiveness

Across these events, Scoot’s response consistently emphasised preventive actions and passenger safety. In the 2022 Perth case, the crew returned to the departure airport upon detecting a fault, and the airline provided accommodation and rebooking options[1]. During the 2023 nose‑wheel incident, after learning that a wheel had detached, flight and ground crews coordinated with air traffic control to manage the flight to Taipei. The absence of injuries despite the missing nose wheel demonstrates the crew’s professional handling and the robustness of Boeing’s design[25]. The 2024 runway incursion report highlights the importance of air‑traffic management; although no emergency landing occurred, the situation could have become dangerous had the Scoot aircraft been forced to go around over an occupied taxiway[8].

Technical issues and equipment failures

Several incidents involved technical faults or hardware failures. The Perth and Xi’an episodes show that even non‑catastrophic technical issues can cause flight diversions. The nose‑wheel detachment in 2023 was traced to corrosion and bearing failure; investigators recommended improved inspection and lubrication procedures to prevent similar occurrences. The power‑bank fire in 2025 highlights risks posed by personal electronic devices; airlines enforce strict policies on lithium‑ion batteries, and this event underscores why such policies are necessary. The turbulence accident in 2024, although not linked to equipment failure, reminds airlines to maintain caution even when weather radars show clear skies[14].

Impact on passengers and operations

In each case, Scoot offered accommodations, meal vouchers or rebooking assistance to affected customers[12]. Although these diversions likely led to delayed arrivals and additional costs, there were no reported fatalities or serious injuries beyond the turbulence incident. The airline’s public statements often conclude with apologies and reaffirmations of safety priorities, illustrating a strategy aimed at preserving customer confidence. These responses align with aviation industry best practices, which prioritise conservative decision‑making in the face of potential risks.