On 21st May 2024, Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight SQ321 from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) encountered extreme turbulence. This resulted in several injuries and the death of one man. I take a look at what happened and what we know so far.
Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 from LHR to SIN departed LHR on 20th May at 22:38 (local time) with 211 passengers and 18 crew. While flying near Myanmar, the aircraft experienced severe turbulence at 07:49 UTC (according to flight data). The turbulence could have been caused by clear air turbulence and reports indicate that there were thunderstorms in the area at the time of the incident.
At 07:49 UTC the aircraft encountered severe turbulence and flight data records that there were unexpected changes to the vertical rate for nearly one minute before returning to zero feet per minute.
The severe turbulence resulted in several injuries with a hospital stating that it had treated 71 people in total with 6 having severe injuries. Unfortunately one man, a 73-year-old British man died, likely from a heart attack, according to officials.
After the turbulence at 08:03UTC, the aircraft changed course and began a diversion to Bangkok, landing at BKK at 08:45 UTC (15:45 local time) where it was met by emergency personnel and paramedics. It is likely that those injured were not wearing their seatbelts and may have been out of their seats for various reasons during this portion of the flight.
Singapore Airlines released a statement on Facebook
Singapore Airlines flight #SQ321, operating from London (Heathrow) to Singapore on 20 May 2024, encountered severe turbulence en-route. The aircraft diverted to Bangkok and landed at 1545hrs local time on 21 May 2024.
Our priority is to provide all possible assistance to all passengers and crew on board the aircraft. We are working with the local authorities in Thailand to provide the necessary medical assistance, and sending a team to Bangkok to provide any additional assistance needed.
Planes are built to withstand turbulence and undergo extensive testing. The aircraft involved in the incident was a Boeing 777-300ER with registration 9V-SWM and was painted in a Star Alliance livery. The aircraft was powered by two GE90-115B engines and was delivered to Singapore Airlines in 2008.
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