Singapore Airlines flight turbulence leaves 1 dead, dozens injured

Singapore Airlines flight drops 1,800 meters in 3 minutes over Indian Ocean, leaving one dead and dozens injured. Emergency landing in Bangkok.

A Singapore Airlines flight experienced severe turbulence over the Indian Ocean, causing it to descend 6,000 feet (approximately 1,800 meters) in just three minutes. This incident tragically resulted in the death of a 73-year-old British man and left more than two dozen passengers injured. The flight was forced to divert and landed in stormy weather in Bangkok.

The British man's cause of death is suspected to be a heart attack, although this has not been confirmed. The flight, which originated from London's Heathrow airport and was en route to Singapore, had 211 passengers and 18 crew members on board. Upon landing in Bangkok, multiple passengers were found to have sustained injuries.

Passenger Andrew Davies reported that those who were wearing seatbelts were spared from injuries, despite the crew not having enough time to secure themselves. He described the scene on board as chaotic, with injured cabin crew members attending to passengers. Emergency medical teams swiftly responded to assist those in need, with ambulances seen rushing to the airport.

The General Manager of Suvarnabhumi Airport, Kittipong Kittikachorn, stated that the British man likely suffered a heart attack and that medical authorities would confirm this. Seven passengers sustained severe injuries, while 23 passengers and nine crew members suffered moderate injuries. Sixteen individuals with minor injuries received hospital treatment, and another 14 were treated at the airport.

The sudden descent occurred while passengers were being served food, marking Suvarnabhumi Airport's first experience with a midair turbulence-related death. Passengers with minor injuries and those unharmed were provided assistance within the airport terminal. Thailand's transport minister announced that a replacement plane would be dispatched to transport passengers to Singapore.

Flight tracking data revealed that the Singapore Airlines flight experienced a sharp descent from 37,000 feet to 31,000 feet over the Andaman Sea near Myanmar. This incident was classified as clear air turbulence, which can be particularly dangerous due to wind shear. The Boeing 777-300ER aircraft involved in the incident is a widely used model for long-haul flights.

The aviation industry has seen an increase in turbulence-related incidents, with a significant number of accidents attributed to this phenomenon. Boeing expressed condolences to the family of the deceased passenger and pledged support to Singapore Airlines. Investigations into the incident are ongoing, with authorities from multiple countries involved in the process.

Singapore Airlines provided details on the nationalities of the passengers, highlighting the diverse group on board the flight. The airline, along with government agencies and airport officials, are offering support to those affected by the turbulent flight. The Transport Safety Investigation Bureau is conducting an inquiry into the incident, collaborating with Thai authorities and deploying investigators to Bangkok.

This harrowing experience serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of air travel and the importance of safety measures in place to mitigate risks. The aviation industry continues to prioritize passenger safety and well-being in the face of turbulent situations.