Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 from London to Singapore encountered severe turbulence on Tuesday, May 21st, 2024, resulting in one passenger fatality and multiple injuries. The Boeing 777-300, carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew members, was cruising at an altitude of 37,000 feet (FL370) when the incident occurred. The aircraft, identified as registration 9V-SWM and operating flight SQ-321, was approximately 210 nautical miles northwest of Bangkok, Thailand, when it hit a patch of extreme turbulence. The sudden and violent air movements caused injuries to a number of passengers.
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The pilots, reacting swiftly to the situation, initiated a controlled descent to 31,000 feet (FL310) and diverted the flight to Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport. Upon landing, a tragic development unfolded. One passenger, a 73-year-old British citizen, was pronounced dead. Authorities suspect the cause of death to be a heart attack triggered by the turbulence. The incident left a significant number of people requiring medical attention. 30 passengers and 7 crew members were transported to hospitals for treatment. By the evening of May 21st, Singapore Airlines confirmed that 18 individuals remained hospitalized, while another 12 were receiving treatment after being admitted earlier.
The severity of the turbulence was further evidenced by data collected from the aircraft's Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) system. This data revealed a rapid drop in the plane's speed of approximately 20 knots just before the descent began. Additionally, the ADS-B data indicated the aircraft experienced an altitude fluctuation of 100 feet below and 300 feet above its cruising altitude roughly 15 minutes earlier while flying over Myanmar.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of air travel. While turbulence is a relatively common occurrence, severe turbulence can have serious consequences. Singapore Airlines has expressed its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased and has pledged to provide full support to those injured in the incident. Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the turbulence and the full impact of the event.