Published: Tuesday, May 21, 2024
Singapore Airlines reported Tuesday that a flight from BANGKOK hit severe turbulence and dropped 6,000 feet (1,800 meters) within three minutes. Authorities reported that a British man was killed and dozens of passengers, some seriously injured.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that the man, aged 73, may have suffered a heartattack. The man’s name was not immediately revealed.
A Boeing 777 from London Heathrow Airport to Singapore with 211 passengers, 18 crew, and other cargo was diverted due to bad weather and landed at Bangkok.
The British passenger Andrew Davies, who spoke to Sky News about the incident, said that although the seatbelt light was on but crew members did not have time to sit down.
Davies stated that “every cabin crew member I saw was injured, perhaps with a cut on their head.” “One was clearly in pain, with a bad back.”
Dzafran Azmir (28), a student who was on the flight told ABC News that “some people hit their head on the baggage compartments above and dented them.” They broke through the areas where masks and lights are located.
Kittipong Kittikachorn said that at a press conference, the sudden descent happened as food was being served to passengers.
According to him, seven passengers suffered severe injuries and 23 passengers as well as nine crew members sustained moderate injuries. Sixteen of the less serious injuries were treated in hospital, and fourteen at the airport. He claimed that the British man had suffered a heartattack, but that medical authorities will need to confirm this.
In a later statement, the Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital stated that 71 patients had been treated at the hospital. Six of them were seriously injured. The discrepancy was not explained.
The Associated Press analyzed the tracking data collected by FlightRadar24 to show that Singapore Airlines Flight SQ321 cruised at an altitude between 37,000 feet and 11,300 meters.
The data shows that the Boeing 777 300ER descended suddenly and abruptly to 31,000 feet (9.400 meters) in just three minutes. The aircraft stayed at 31,000 ft (9,400 meters), for less than 10 minutes, before diverting to Bangkok and landing there less than half an hour later.
The abrupt descent happened as the plane flew over the Andaman sea, near Myanmar. At that time, the aircraft sent an “squawk-code” of 7700. This is an international emergency signal.
Singapore Airlines confirmed on Tuesday that 143 passengers had arrived in the city-state shortly after 5 am local time. The airlines said that a further 79 passengers and six crew members were still in Bangkok where a second flight to pick them up would be waiting.
The weather conditions at the time the incident occurred were not reported.
The most dangerous type of turbulence is called clear air turbulence. Wind shear is possible in wispy clouds, or in clear air around thunderstorms. This occurs when temperature and pressure differences create powerful currents.
In December, the problem of turbulence came to light when 41 passengers on two flights in the United States that were hit by turbulence on consecutive days received medical attention or injuries.
A 2021 report from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board states that turbulence was responsible for 37.6% all accidents in commercial aircraft between 2009 and 2018. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (another U.S. government organization), after the December incidents, there were 146 severe injuries caused by turbulence between 2009 and 2021.
Boeing expressed condolences for the death of the man, and stated that it was in touch with Singapore Airlines. “We stand ready to assist them” The Boeing 777 wide-body aircraft is a mainstay of the aviation world. It’s used primarily by airlines on long-haul routes around the globe. The twin-engined, two-aisle 777-300ER version is bigger and can accommodate more passengers.
Singapore Airlines, which is the flag carrier of the city-state, operates 22 aircraft out of its more than 140 aircraft. The parent company of the airline is owned in majority by Singapore’s Temasek investment conglomerate, which also operates budget airline Scoot.
Suriya Jungrungruangkit (Thailand’s Transport Minister) said that Singapore had dispatched a second plane to transport those who were able to travel. The plane arrived in Bangkok late Tuesday night.
In a Facebook posting, Singapore Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat said that his ministry, the Singapore Foreign Ministry, the Civil Aviation Authority, Changi Airport officials, and airline staff “are providing assistance to the affected families and passengers.”
The Transport Safety Investigation Bureau of the Ministry said that it had been in contact with its Thai counterpart, and investigators would be sent to Bangkok.
Singapore Airlines reported that the nationalities of passengers included 56 Australians (two Canadians), one German, one Icelander and one Israeli. There were also 16 Malaysians from Myanmar, two New Zealanders from New Zealand, five Filipinos from Philippines, 41 Singaporeans, one South Korean from Singapore, 47 United Kingdom citizens, and four Americans.
___