Singapore plane makes emergency landing in Beijing

SINGAPORE, Jan 24 (Reuters) A Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-200 made a successful emergency landing at Beijing airport today after the fire alarm in one of the aircraft's two engines was activated, the airline said.

Singapore Air said in a statement that flight SQ811 from Beijing to Singapore returned to Beijing about one hour and 40 minutes after take-off.

''At this point, there is no confirmation that the alarm was activated by a fire, but the pilot correctly acted in response to the alarm, then returned the aircraft to Beijing as quickly as he was able,'' the airline said.

A spokesman said the alarm could have been activated by a fire, an engine failure known as flame-out, or a short circuit in the fire alarm.

He said ground engineers were inspecting the aircraft to find what repairs may be necessary, adding that the plane had been in service since late 1999.

The plane was carrying 227 passengers and 16 crew.

Singapore Air said it was making arrangements for them to continue their journey as soon as possible.

REUTERS PB DS1102