The turbulence encountered by the Singapore Airlines flight
The turbulence encountered by the Singapore Airlines flight caused a rapid descent of over 1,800 meters (6,000 feet) within a mere five-minute span over the Andaman Sea.
On May 21, a Singapore Airlines flight experienced severe turbulence after hitting an air pocket, resulting in one fatality and multiple injuries.
The Boeing 777-312 (ER) plane with registration number 9V-SWM, which was conducting flight SQ321 from London to Singapore, was forced to perform an emergency landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok at 3:34 pm on May 21. This was due to a passenger passing away during the Singapore Airlines flight as it encountered turbulence mid-air.
The Suvarnabhumi Airport stated that a distress call was received from the Singapore Airlines flight at 3:35 pm, reporting passengers injured by turbulence and requesting an emergency landing. The airport immediately activated its emergency response team and prepared for the arrival of the aircraft. Medical personnel were on standby to provide immediate assistance to the injured passengers upon landing. The airport also coordinated with air traffic control to ensure a safe and expedited landing for the distressed flight. The incident highlighted the importance of preparedness and quick response in handling emergencies in the aviation industry.
The Singapore Airlines flight departed from London’s Heathrow Airport and experienced significant turbulence during the journey, as reported by the airline.
The airline has verified the presence of injuries and one fatality on the Boeing 777-300ER. A total of 211 passengers and 18 crew members were on board, with 18 individuals hospitalized and another 12 receiving treatment in hospitals. No specifics regarding the injuries were provided.
According to flight tracking data, it appears that the aircraft descended over 1,800 meters (6,000 feet) within a span of five minutes above the Andaman Sea. It is worth mentioning that certain areas of Thailand have been encountering thunderstorms.
FL360 aero, a popular aviation news source, recently posted several images and videos showing a plane transporting passengers who were distressed following turbulence.
One person dead after severe turbulence on London-Singapore SIA flight SQ321 dropped about 6000 feet due to an air pocket. One person deadhttps://t.co/8C6Ya22B46 pic.twitter.com/YEK6CwvJPu
— Andrew Darwis (@adarwis) May 21, 2024
The most recent fatality involving Singapore Airlines occurred in October 2000, when a plane crashed on a closed runway during take-off in Taiwan, resulting in the tragic loss of 83 lives. Records from the Aviation Safety Network indicate that Singapore Airlines has been involved in a total of seven accidents.