A Singapore Airlines Flight Had a Tragic Incident
- A Singapore Airlines plane hit severe turbulence on a flight from London to Singapore
- The turbulence caused injuries to some people on board
- Sadly, one passenger passed away from the turbulence
- The plane was diverted to an airport in Bangkok, Thailand
- There were 21 passengers and 18 crew members on board
Why did this tragic event happen on the flight? And what happened exactly? Read more to find out the details.
What Occurred During the Flight
The Singapore Airlines flight took off from London’s Heathrow Airport on May 20th. It was headed to Singapore, which is over 6,500 miles away.
During its long journey across Asia, the Boeing 777 plane encountered severe turbulence or bumpy air. Turbulence happens when planes hit unstable air pockets andย are abruptly tossed around.
The Turbulence Caused Injuries and One Death
According to Singapore Airlines, the violent turbulence on the flight led to multiple injuries among passengers and crew. Tragically, one passenger was so badly hurt that they passed away from their injuries.
All aircraft are required to have seatbelts. However, turbulence can strike without warning when people are moving about the cabin or not buckled in securely.
Diverting the Flight to Bangkok
Due to the severe incident and medical emergency, the pilots called to divert the flight. Instead of continuing to Singapore, they landed at Bangkok’s main airport at 3:45 pm local time.
Upon landing in Bangkok, the injured passengers and crew could get medical treatment immediately. However, one passenger had already succumbed to their injuries from the turbulence.
Singapore Airlines’ Response
In a statement, Singapore Airlines expressed their “deepest condolences to the family of the deceased passenger.” The airline said it assists those impacted and cooperates with local authorities in Thailand.
A team from Singapore Airlines was sent to Bangkok to support the passengers and crew and investigate any way they could. Turbulence incidents are taken extremely seriously by all airlines.
Aviation Safety Concerns
While turbulence is uncommon, it is still considered a significant safety risk for airlines and passengers. Most turbulence injuries happen from falling luggage, carts, or unbuckled passengers/crew hitting ceilings or cabin furniture.
Aviation safety experts always advise airlines and airports to be overcautious about turbulence forecasts and warnings. Seatbelts should also be worn at all times when seated.
This fatal incident will likely renew calls for additional turbulence research, training, and policies to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Has enough been done to improve turbulence safety over the years?
