Singapore Airlines flight makes emergency landing after reported extreme turbulence and one passenger dead. (Credit: Viral Press)
The Singapore Airlines flight that was forced to make an emergency landing in Bangkok last week after experiencing “severe turbulence” plunged 178 feet in 4.6 seconds, investigators have revealed.
Singapore’s Transport Ministry said the sudden drop in altitude “probably caused injuries to crew and passengers” on board the Boeing 777-300ER which was heading from London to Singapore. A 73-year-old passenger on the plane died from a suspected heart attack while dozens of others were injured, according to Reuters.
The Transportation Ministry said Singapore investigators, working with representatives from the National Transportation Safety Board, the Federal Aviation Administration and Boeing, determined that Singapore Airlines Flight 321 began feeling a vibration while it was flying over an area south of Burma on May 21.
“At approximately the same time as the onset of the slight vibration, an uncontrolled increase in the aircraft’s altitude, reaching a peak of 37,362 feet, was recorded. In response to this uncontrolled increase in altitude , the autopilot tilted the aircraft downward to descend to the selected altitude of 37,000 feet,” the agency said.
VIDEO SHOWS SINGAPORE AIRLINES CABIN IN DISSATIMENT AFTER “SEVERE TURBULENCE” LEAVES 1 DEAD
Airport officials gather near the aircraft ladder attached to Singapore Airlines Flight 321 after it landed at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Bangkok, Thailand, Tuesday, May 21. (Reuters/Athit Perawongmetha / Reuters Photos)
“In addition, the pilots observed an uncontrolled increase in speed which they stopped by extending the air brakes,” the statement continued. “While managing speed, at 7:49:32 a.m., a pilot was heard announcing that the seat belt sign was on.”
| Teleprinter | Security | Last | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SINGY | SINGAPORE AIRL | 9,975 | +0.12 | +1.17% |
| B.A. | BOEING Co. | 175.08 | +0.56 | +0.32% |
“Rapid changes in G over a duration of 4.6 seconds resulted in a drop in altitude of 178 feet, from 37,362 feet to 37,184 feet,” the Department of Transportation also said.
SINGAPORE AIRLINES PLANE MAKES EMERGENCY LANDING IN BANGKOK
A passenger on board the Singapore Airlines flight told Reuters that travelers were thrown out of their seats when they encountered turbulence. (Reuters photos / Reuters)
Singapore Airlines said in a statement that it was aware of the preliminary findings and was “co-operating fully with the relevant authorities in the ongoing investigations into this incident”.
“We are committed to supporting our passengers and crew members who were on board SQ321 that day, as well as their families and loved ones,” the statement added. “This includes covering their medical and hospital costs, as well as any additional assistance they may need.”
Dzafran Azmir, a 28-year-old passenger on the flight, previously told Reuters that “Suddenly the plane (started) to tilt and there was shaking, so I started preparing for this was happening, and very suddenly there was a very dramatic fall, so everyone who was seated and not wearing a seat belt was immediately thrown into the ceiling.”
The interior of Singapore Airline Flight SQ321 is pictured after an emergency landing at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, Thailand, Tuesday, May 21. (Reuters photos / Reuters)
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“Every cabin crew member I saw was injured,” Andrew Davies, another traveler on the flight, told Reuters. “I haven’t seen anyone working for Singapore Airlines who wasn’t injured.
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