A tragic incident occurred as severe turbulence struck a Singapore Airlines flight, resulting in one fatality and at least 71 individuals sustaining injuries

By M Muzamil Shami

Bangkok, Thailand—On Tuesday, severe turbulence struck a Singapore Airlines flight traveling from London to Singapore, resulting in the tragic death of one passenger and injuries to 71 others. The violent jolts tossed passengers and crew within the cabin, compelling the plane to execute an emergency landing in Bangkok.

The Boeing 777-300ER had been in the air for approximately 10 hours and was in the midst of serving meals when it encountered turbulence over Myanmar's Irrawaddy Basin, as reported by the airline.

Andrew Davies, a traveler aboard flight SQ321 en route to New Zealand for business, recounted to CNN’s Erin Burnett that the journey had been uneventful until the seatbelt sign illuminated, signaling a sudden shift to chaos moments later.

"The sensation was as if the plane suddenly plunged. It might have been just a brief moment, yet I can vividly recall seeing shoes, iPads, iPhones, cushions, blankets, cutlery, plates, and cups hurtling through the air, crashing against the ceiling. The man seated beside me had a cup of coffee, which spilled all over me and splattered up to the ceiling," recounted Davies.

He became fully aware of the severity of the turbulence when he glanced around. He observed several passengers with head injuries, one with blood streaming down her face, and an elderly passenger in a state of severe shock."

"He described a cacophony of screams," he recounted.

Footage and pictures captured within the aircraft depicted the severity of the destruction, revealing overhead compartments forcefully pried open and emergency oxygen masks dangling from above. A snapshot of a galley exposed a portion of the ceiling torn apart, with interior components of the plane hanging precariously. Among the debris scattered across the floor were trays, containers, plastic bottles, and hot beverage pots.

In connection with the incident, a 73-year-old British man passed away, reportedly due to a suspected heart condition, as disclosed by Kittipong Kittikachorn, the General Manager of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport, on Tuesday. Kittikachorn also mentioned that the autopsy process was still underway.

Geoff Kitchen, recognized posthumously, was lauded as a paragon of integrity and kindness by the Thornbury Musical Theatre Group (TMTG), where he dedicated over 35 years of service.

CNN reported that the British Foreign Office is providing assistance to the family of a British traveler who passed away during a Singapore Airlines flight.

Davies, positioned near the front of the plane, recounted how he assisted Kitchen, who occupied a seat behind him.

"Numerous passengers required assistance, but our focus was on aiding this gentleman. I helped lift him, move him out of his seat, and we placed him on the floor to allow medical professionals to perform CPR," Davies explained. He further mentioned that CPR was administered to the passenger for approximately 20 minutes.

The Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital in Bangkok reported that 71 individuals, including six severely, were injured among the passengers they received. The injured hail from Malaysia, the UK, New Zealand, Spain, the US, and Ireland.

Kittikachorn, who examined the aircraft, noted that some injured passengers had suffered broken arms.

According to online flight trackers, the flight departed from London’s Heathrow Airport at approximately 10:30 p.m. local time with 211 passengers and 18 crew on board. Originally bound for Singapore’s Changi Airport, the plane was redirected to Bangkok, where it landed at 3:45 p.m. local time, as confirmed by the airline.

A video captured after the diversion of Singapore Airlines SQ321 to Bangkok depicts emergency responders carrying a passenger on a stretcher from the aircraft.

According to Kittikachorn, nearly 200 travelers awaited onward flights to their destinations after the plane landed in Bangkok. He stated that a Singapore Airlines flight, carrying 131 out of the 211 passengers, later left Bangkok for Singapore.

Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong stated in a release that the airline is extending "all possible assistance and support" to the passengers and their families.

"We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the passenger who passed away, on behalf of Singapore Airlines. Our sincere apologies go out to all passengers and crew members affected by this incident," he expressed.

The Ministry of Transport of Singapore announced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding flight SQ321. Additionally, the US National Transportation Safety Board is dispatching personnel to Singapore to aid in the investigation."

                                      The interior of Singapore Airline flight SQ321 is pictured after an emergency landing at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi 

                                      International Airport, Thailand, on May 21. Reuters

 

The flight probably encountered swiftly intensifying thunderstorms

Turbulence arises when an aircraft navigates through conflicting streams of air with significantly varied velocities.

During light to moderate turbulence, passengers may sense a slight pressure against their seatbelts, and loose objects could shift within the cabin. However, severe turbulence poses the risk of hurling passengers across the cabin, leading to grave injuries and, in rare instances, fatalities.

An airline statement disclosed that the aircraft faced abrupt, intense turbulence while flying at 37,000 feet above the Irrawaddy Basin in Myanmar, approximately 10 hours post-departure.

Flight data from the aviation tracking site FlightRadar24 depicts a series of abrupt altitude changes: a sudden dip followed by a rapid climb, then another dip and climb, ultimately returning to its original cruising altitude. This sequence lasted approximately 90 seconds, as per the recorded data.

Approximately 14 minutes later, the flight altered its course. The airline reported, "The pilot declared a medical emergency, prompting the diversion of the aircraft to Bangkok."

London to Singapore Flight Experiences Heavy Turbulence

Singapore Airlines reported that Flight SQ321, which took off from London at 10:38 p.m. local time on Monday, experienced significant turbulence during its journey. Tragically, one person lost their life, and multiple others sustained injuries. The Boeing 777-300ER, carrying a total of 211 passengers and 18 crew members, was rerouted to Bangkok and safely landed at 3:45 p.m. local time.

Note: Usual route shows the same route flown on May 19, 2024.

Sources: FlightRader24, Singapore Airlines

Graphic: Lou Robinson, CNN

CNN Weather analysis suggests that the flight encountered rapidly developing thunderstorms over southern Myanmar on Tuesday, coinciding with reports of extreme turbulence.

This time of year typically sees the emergence of tropical thunderstorms in the region as moisture levels rise with the onset of the southwest monsoon season in South Asia. These storms tend to develop swiftly, particularly in the early afternoon when the land heats up, especially along the coastline.

Despite their rapid formation, nascent thunderstorms like Tuesday's might not register on radar initially, yet they can still generate turbulence due to their rapid upward motion. It's estimated that the storm cells expanded from altitudes of 20,000-30,000 feet to well beyond 50,000 feet in less than an hour.

Turbulent conditions may increase in frequency

       The interior of Singapore Airline flight SQ321 is pictured after an emergency landing at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Thailand, on May 21.              Reuters

Approximately 65,000 aircraft encounter moderate turbulence annually in the US, with around 5,500 experiencing severe turbulence. However, these figures may escalate due to the impact of the climate crisis on turbulence patterns, as highlighted by a University of Reading atmospheric science professor.

A study from September 2022 foresees a notable rise in clear-air turbulence worldwide between 2050 and 2080, particularly along major flight corridors, with the most intense turbulence showing the greatest increase.

In March 2023, tragic turbulence-related incidents occurred. A former White House official lost their life due to violent movements on a private jet, although subsequent investigations ruled out weather involvement. Days earlier, another commercial flight encountered significant turbulence, leading to seven individuals being hospitalized.

In July of 2023, a Hawaiian Airlines flight bound for Sydney, Australia, encountered severe turbulence, resulting in seven injuries. Additionally, in December of 2022, another Hawaiian Airlines flight traveling from Arizona to Honolulu experienced turbulence, leading to 36 injuries, with 20 individuals requiring emergency room care.

Singapore Airlines is frequently regarded as one of the safest airlines globally.

The sole prior fatal incident occurred in October 2000, involving flight SQ006, which crashed during takeoff from a closed runway in Taiwan amid heavy rain, resulting in the loss of 83 lives aboard the Boeing 747-400.

Singapore Airlines released an update on its Facebook page on Tuesday, confirming the dispatch of a dedicated team to Bangkok to assist local authorities and support their colleagues on-site.

Expressing profound sympathy to the families of the deceased, the airline conveyed heartfelt apologies for the distressing ordeal experienced by passengers and crew on this flight.

Boeing has stated its communication with the Singaporean carrier and expressed its readiness to assist them. Further inquiries are deferred to the airline and local authorities by the manufacturer.