In a harrowing incident on Tuesday, a Singapore Airlines flight traveling from London to Singapore encountered severe turbulence over Bangkok, Thailand. The turbulent conditions proved to be perilous, resulting in the tragic death of one passenger and injuries sustained by 71 individuals, including both passengers and crew members.
The intensity of the turbulence was such that passengers and crew members were violently tossed around the cabin, heightening the urgency of the situation. In response to the alarming conditions, the flight crew made the decision to execute an emergency landing in Bangkok to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone on board.
This distressing turn of events was reported by CNN, highlighting the gravity of the situation and the significant impact it had on those involved. The sudden and unexpected nature of turbulence serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable challenges that can arise during air travel, underscoring the importance of adhering to safety protocols and remaining vigilant at all times.
As authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, thoughts and condolences are extended to the family and loved ones of the deceased passenger, and hopes for a speedy recovery are sent to those who were injured during this turbulent ordeal.
According to the airline, the Boeing 777-300ER experienced turbulence approximately 10 hours into its flight and during meal service while flying over Myanmar’s Irrawaddy Basin.
Andrew Davies, a passenger aboard flight SQ321 en route to New Zealand for business, recounted to CNN’s Erin Burnett that the flight had been “perfectly normal” until the seatbelt sign illuminated, and moments later, chaos ensued.
Davies described the harrowing experience, stating, “The plane suddenly felt like it plummeted. It might have lasted only a few seconds, but I distinctly recall witnessing shoes, iPads, iPhones, cushions, blankets, cutlery, plates, and cups hurtling through the air, crashing into the ceiling. The passenger beside me had a cup of coffee, which splashed all over me and surged up toward the ceiling.”
Davies noted the severity of the turbulence when he glanced behind him, observing numerous passengers with head wounds, one woman with blood streaming down her face, and an elderly passenger in a state of severe shock.
“There was an overwhelming amount of screaming,” he recounted.
Footage and photographs captured inside the aircraft depicted the aftermath of the turbulence, revealing overhead compartments forcibly opened and emergency oxygen masks dangling from above. One image displayed a galley area with a portion of the ceiling exposed, revealing interior components hanging down. Trays, containers, plastic bottles, and hot beverage pots littered the floor.
The General Manager of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Kittipong Kittikachorn, stated on Tuesday that a 73-year-old British man passed away during the incident, likely due to a heart condition. Kittikachorn added that the autopsy process was currently underway.
The individual was identified as Geoff Kitchen, who was characterized as “always a gentleman with the utmost honesty and integrity” by the Thornbury Musical Theatre Group (TMTG), an organization where he dedicated over 35 years of service.
The British Foreign Office informed CNN that it was providing assistance to the family of a British passenger who passed away on a Singapore Airlines flight.
Davies, seated near the front of the aircraft, mentioned that he assisted in attending to Kitchen, who was seated behind him.
“Lots of people required assistance, but our focus was on tending to this gentleman. I aided in moving him out of his seat and onto the floor, where medical professionals could administer CPR,” Davies recounted. He added that CPR was performed on the passenger for approximately 20 minutes.
Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital in Bangkok, where the injured passengers were admitted, reported that at least 71 individuals sustained injuries, with six in critical condition. Among the injured are citizens from Malaysia, the UK, New Zealand, Spain, the US, and Ireland.
Kittikachorn, who examined the aircraft, mentioned that some injured passengers suffered from broken arms.
The flight, with 211 passengers and 18 crew onboard, departed from London’s Heathrow Airport at approximately 10:30 p.m. local time, as indicated by online flight trackers. Originally destined for Singapore’s Changi Airport, the plane was rerouted to Bangkok, where it landed at 3:45 p.m. local time, according to the airline’s statement.
Footage captured after the diversion of Singapore Airlines SQ321 to Bangkok depicts emergency responders carrying a passenger on a stretcher from the aircraft.
Kittikachorn stated that upon landing in Bangkok, nearly 200 travelers awaited onward flights to their destinations. He noted that a Singapore Airlines plane, carrying 131 of the 211 passengers, later departed from Bangkok bound for Singapore.
Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong conveyed in a statement that the airline is offering “all possible assistance and support” to the passengers and their families.
“On behalf of Singapore Airlines, I extend heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased passenger. We also sincerely apologize for the distress endured by all passengers and crew members on this flight,” he expressed.
The Ministry of Transport in Singapore issued a statement indicating its investigation into the incident involving flight SQ321. Additionally, the US National Transportation Safety Board announced the dispatch of personnel to Singapore to aid in the investigation.
Flight probably encountered swiftly evolving thunderstorms
Turbulence arises when an aircraft traverses areas where air masses collide, varying significantly in speed.
During light to moderate turbulence, passengers may sense pressure against their seatbelts, while unsecured objects may shift within the cabin. However, severe turbulence poses greater risks, potentially hurling passengers, leading to severe injuries and, in rare instances, fatalities.
According to a statement from the airline, the aircraft experienced “sudden extreme turbulence” over the Irrawaddy Basin, a river in Myanmar, at an altitude of 37,000 feet, approximately 10 hours post-departure.
Aviation tracking data from FlightRadar24 illustrates the flight’s abrupt descent followed by rapid ascent, recurring a few times, before eventually stabilizing back at its cruising altitude. The entire sequence of disruption lasted about 90 seconds, as per the data.
Approximately 14 minutes later, the flight altered its course. The airline stated, “The pilot declared a medical emergency and diverted the aircraft to Bangkok.”
London to Singapore flight encounters severe turbulence
Singapore Airlines flight SQ321, departing London at 10:38 p.m. local time on Monday, encountered severe turbulence during its journey, as reported by Singapore Airlines. The incident resulted in at least one fatality and multiple injuries. The Boeing 777-300ER, carrying a total of 211 passengers and 18 crew members, was rerouted to Bangkok and touched down at 3:45 p.m. local time.
According to CNN Weather analysis, the flight likely encountered rapidly developing thunderstorms over southern Myanmar on Tuesday, coinciding with reports of extreme turbulence.
Such tropical thunderstorms are common during this season, as moisture levels rise in the region with the onset of the southwest monsoon in South Asia. They tend to form swiftly in the early afternoon, particularly along the coastline, as the land heats up.
These burgeoning thunderstorms may not register on radar during their initial stages, despite the rapid upward movement within them, which can lead to turbulence. The storm cells likely surged from altitudes of 20,000-30,000 feet to well over 50,000 feet within an hour.
Increased Frequency of Turbulence Predicted
Around 65,000 aircraft in the United States encounter moderate turbulence annually, with approximately 5,500 facing severe turbulence. However, experts caution that these numbers may rise due to shifting turbulence patterns triggered by the climate crisis, as noted by a University of Reading atmospheric science professor.
A September 2022 study projects a notable uptick in clear-air turbulence globally between 2050 and 2080, particularly along major flight corridors, with the most severe turbulence experiencing the sharpest increase.
In March 2023, a former White House official tragically died on a private jet amidst violent movements, although subsequent investigations dismissed weather-related causes. Days later, another commercial flight experienced significant turbulence, leading to seven hospitalizations.
July 2023 witnessed seven injuries on a Hawaiian Airlines flight bound for Sydney, Australia, due to severe turbulence. Moreover, in December 2022, 36 individuals sustained injuries on a Hawaiian Airlines flight from Arizona to Honolulu, with 20 requiring emergency room care.
While Singapore Airlines, renowned for its safety record, last experienced a fatal accident in October 2000 when flight SQ006 crashed during takeoff from a closed runway in Taiwan amid heavy rain, resulting in 83 fatalities.
Following a recent incident, Singapore Airlines took to Facebook to announce that a specialized team had arrived in Bangkok to offer support to local authorities and ground staff. The airline extended its heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased passenger and apologized for the distress endured by passengers and crew.
Boeing expressed its willingness to aid Singapore Airlines but directed further inquiries to the airline and local authorities.
Note: This story and headline have been updated with additional developments. Additionally, an earlier version of the story incorrectly attributed weather involvement to a March 2023 incident involving a private jet, as later clarified by the National Transportation Safety Board.
