Singapore Airlines A380 Rolls Back from Gate Due to Parking Brake Error

On November 25, 2024, a Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 (registration 9V-SKR) rolled backward from its designated parking stand shortly after arriving at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) in New Delhi, India. The aircraft was operating flight SQ406 from Singapore’s Changi International Airport (SIN), This rare occurrence was attributed to the crew reportedly failing to set the parking brakes properly. Fortunately, no passengers were injured, and the aircraft sustained no damage. However, one cabin crew member suffered a minor bruise during the event.

Timeline of Events

After completing the five-hour flight from Singapore, the Airbus A380 taxied to its assigned parking bay at DEL. As the aircraft came to an initial stop, it unexpectedly began to roll backward. The pilots acted quickly, applying the parking brake to halt the movement. The ground crew then used a tug to reposition the aircraft to its correct parking location.

A source at the airport explained that the parking bay where the incident occurred has a slight slope designed to allow water drainage during rainfall. This natural incline may have contributed to the rollback when the parking brake was not properly applied.

Statement from Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines (SIA) promptly addressed the situation in a public statement:

“A Singapore Airlines (SIA) Airbus A380, operating flight SQ406 from Singapore to New Delhi, experienced a rollback after parking at [Delhi Airport] on November 25, 2024. The pilot immediately applied the brakes to halt the aircraft. Once the aircraft was stationary, the pilots informed air traffic control, and ground staff safely towed the aircraft back to its designated parking bay.

“All passengers disembarked the aircraft normally with no injuries reported. One cabin crew member suffered a minor bruise on her thigh, received medical attention, and was cleared to return to duties. SIA apologizes for any inconvenience caused by this incident. The safety of our customers and crew is always our top priority.”

While the airline reassured the public of its commitment to safety, no information has yet emerged regarding whether an investigation by Indian aviation authorities will be conducted or if the pilots involved face suspension.

Standard Procedures and the Anomaly

In normal operations, aviation protocols mandate that after an aircraft reaches its parking position, the crew must verify the hydraulic pressure of the braking system before applying the parking brake and shutting down the engines. Once the aircraft is stationary, the ground crew secures it with chocks—triangular rubber wedges placed under the wheels to prevent unintended movement. These procedures are critical to mitigating risks, especially in areas with sloped parking bays.

In this instance, it appears that while the engines were shut down, the parking brake was not activated. Following the rollback, restarting the aircraft’s engines to regain “breakaway power” was deemed unsafe. Instead, the ground crew opted to use a tug to reposition the aircraft, minimizing potential hazards.

• Featured image by Eternal dragon

Youssef Yahya

Youssef Yahya is the CEO and Founder of Aviation for Aviators, a platform dedicated to the aviation industry. With over 3 years of experience as an aviation writer, Youssef is passionate about sharing his insights on aviation, entrepreneurship, and the broader business landscape. As a Teaching Assistant in Entrepreneurship at Nile University, he also nurtures the next generation of entrepreneurs. When he’s not exploring the skies or business ventures, you can find him saying, ‘Drag your coffee, and let’s talk aviation, entrepreneurship, and football.’

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