Singapore Airlines Flight SQ321 Diverts to Bangkok Due to Severe Turbulence, One Fatality Reported

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Singapore Airlines Flight SQ321 Diverts to Bangkok After Severe Turbulence, Resulting in Injuries an

Team Finance Saathi

21/May/2024

Key Points:

Singapore Airlines Flight SQ321 experienced severe turbulence, leading to a diversion to Bangkok.
The turbulence caused injuries and one fatality among the 211 passengers and 18 crew members.
The aircraft, a Boeing 777-300ER, descended rapidly before safely landing in Bangkok.

On May 20, 2024, Singapore Airlines Flight SQ321, operating from London Heathrow to Singapore, encountered severe turbulence while en route, leading to a diversion to Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport. The Boeing 777-300ER, carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew members, landed safely at 15:45 local time on May 21, 2024. Unfortunately, the turbulence caused multiple injuries and resulted in one fatality.

Incident Details: According to a statement from Singapore Airlines, the turbulence struck as the aircraft was nearing Thailand after crossing the Andaman Sea. FlightRadar24 data indicates that the plane, which had been cruising at 37,000 feet, descended rapidly to 31,000 feet within five minutes. This sudden drop occurred nearly 11 hours into the flight from London.

Passenger Experiences: Passengers described the turbulence as sudden and severe. Dzafran Azmir, a 28-year-old student, recounted the dramatic events. "Suddenly the aircraft starts tilting up and there was shaking so I started bracing for what was happening, and very suddenly there was a very dramatic drop so everyone seated and not wearing seatbelt was launched immediately into the ceiling," Azmir told Reuters. He described how people hit their heads on the overhead baggage compartments, causing significant damage.

Unverified photos and videos circulating on social media depicted the chaotic scene inside the cabin, with food and loose items strewn across the floor. One video shared by Sky News showed a flight attendant being thrown to the ceiling due to the turbulence.

Airline Response: Singapore Airlines has expressed its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased and is working closely with local authorities in Thailand to provide the necessary medical assistance. The airline has also dispatched a team to Bangkok to offer additional support to the affected passengers and crew.

Aircraft Information: The aircraft involved, a Boeing 777-300ER, is 16 years old and is part of Singapore Airlines' fleet of 23 such aircraft. Boeing has not yet commented on the incident. This event adds to the historical record of seven accidents involving Singapore Airlines, as noted by the Aviation Safety Network.

Comparative Incident: Earlier this year, a Boeing 737 Max operated by Alaska Airlines experienced a significant issue when a window and part of the fuselage blew out shortly after takeoff, leading to an emergency landing. In response, Alaska Airlines grounded all its Boeing 737-9 aircraft as a precautionary measure.

Conclusion: The incident with Singapore Airlines Flight SQ321 highlights the unpredictable nature of turbulence and its potential severity. While modern aircraft are designed to withstand significant turbulence, the safety and well-being of passengers and crew can still be at risk. This event underscores the importance of following safety protocols, such as keeping seat belts fastened while seated.

Singapore Airlines is committed to ensuring the safety of its passengers and crew and is taking all necessary steps to address the aftermath of this unfortunate event. As investigations continue, more information will likely emerge, providing further insights into the causes and impact of the turbulence encountered by Flight SQ321.

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Singapore Airlines Flight SQ321 Diverts to Bangkok After Severe Turbulence, Resulting in Injuries an

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