Singapore Airlines flight SQ006, daily service from Singapore-Taipei-Los Angeles, crashed on takeoff from Taipei's Chang Kai Shek International Airport at 23:18 local time. The weather in the area was poor, precipitated by a typhoon. Weather five minutes prior to the accident was reported as 69F/21C, pressure 29.59in./1002 hPa, wind from 020° at 37 knots, gusting to 56 knots, visibility 1/4 mile in heavy rain. Subsequent investigation of the accident confirmed that the flight crew mistakenly attempted takeoff on Runway 05R (9029x150ft), instead of the planned Runway 05L (12008x200ft). NOTAMs showed that, at the time of the accident, Runway 05R was closed for repairs, and that numerous pieces of construction equipment were parked on the runway. Approaching 140 knots, the 747 impacted the construction vehicles, breaking the fuselage into three parts and igniting a large post-crash fire.
