Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 encountered severe turbulence last week. Preliminary investigation results released on Wednesday (May 29) revealed the reasons behind the casualties caused by this incident.
On May 21, Singapore Airlines’ flight SQ321 from London Heathrow Airport to Singapore encountered violent turbulence en route and was forced to make an emergency landing at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, Thailand, resulting in one fatality and multiple injuries.
The Singapore Ministry of Transport stated in a press release: “The aircraft experienced rapid changes in G-force… which may have led to passengers who were not securely fastened in their seatbelts being thrown into the air.”
The Boeing 777-300ER aircraft was carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew members at the time. Amid the turbulence, passengers and crew members were thrown across the cabin, with some hitting the ceiling, prompting the aircraft to divert and make an emergency landing in Bangkok.
The Ministry of Transport cited information extracted from flight data and cockpit voice recorders, indicating that “within 4.6 seconds, a rapid change in G-force caused a drop in altitude of 178 feet (approximately 54 meters), from 37,362 feet to 37,184 feet. This series of events may have led to injuries to the crew members and passengers.”
Singapore Airlines acknowledged the report and stated that it will fully cooperate with the investigation.
The investigative team is comprised of Singaporean investigators, representatives from Boeing, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States. The Singapore Ministry of Transport announced that the investigation is still ongoing.
Passengers aboard the startled SQ321 flight described the chaotic scene in the minutes following the incident: turbulence tossing people upwards and then back down the aisles, resulting in many head injuries and bleeding.
Photos from inside the cabin showed cracks in the overhead panels, oxygen masks and panels hanging from the ceiling, and scattered luggage on the floor. A passenger mentioned that some people’s heads hit the lights above the seats, causing the panels to break.
During the incident, a 73-year-old British passenger reportedly died of a suspected heart attack. Singapore Airlines stated on Tuesday evening that 42 passengers from the SQ321 flight were still in Bangkok, with 26 individuals undergoing treatment in hospitals.
According to Thai medical officials, among the initial hospitalized patients, some suffered spinal cord injuries, and others sustained head and skull injuries.
Singapore Airlines stated that they will be responsible for covering the “medical and hospitalization expenses of SQ321 flight passengers and crew members, as well as any additional assistance they may require.”
According to the NTSB, incidents related to turbulence are the most common type of accidents for commercial airlines, but situations resulting in severe injuries are rare.
The report mentioned that the pilots were attempting to stabilize the aircraft during fluctuations in gravity, and it was noted that the seatbelt sign had been illuminated after the incident occurred.
Following the event, Singapore Airlines announced adjustments to their seatbelt policy to address turbulence with a “more cautious approach.” This includes no longer offering hot beverages and meal services when the seatbelt sign is off.
Greater Bay Airlines of Hong Kong stated on Wednesday that starting from Thursday, the company will require passengers to keep their seatbelts fastened throughout the flight, even when the seatbelt sign is turned off.
Flight data also revealed that since the incident, slight adjustments have been made to the London-Singapore route to avoid the area where the incident occurred.
(References: Reuters, CNBC)