Most people find turbulence unpleasant, and today's turbulence on a Singapore Airlines Boeing 777 left passengers feeling "very scared." As Flight SQ321 travelled from London's Heathrow Airport to Changi Airport in Singapore, it encountered intense turbulence that resulted in multiple passenger injuries and one fatality. Because of how serious the tragedy was, news organisations all around the world have focused on it.
The Boeing 777 carried 211 passengers and 18 staff members; seven of them suffered critical injuries, 32 passengers and crew members had moderate injuries, 16 of them were taken to the hospital for treatment, 14 of them even less serious, and one of them passed away. Turbulence was encountered by the aeroplane while it was flying over Thai airspace. Numerous travellers described their experiences to publications such as People and Reuters.
"I started bracing for what was happening, and very suddenly there was a very dramatic drop, so everyone seated and not wearing a seatbelt was launched immediately into the ceiling." - Dzafran Azmir
Azmir said that people's heads went straight through ceiling panels that hold breathing masks, and overhead bins were dented. The mother of a passenger who said her son had been on a "crazy flight" and the plane was diverting was interviewed by the BBC. Allison Barker reported that although her kid was fastened with a seatbelt, he was on the ground alongside other individuals who had suffered injuries.
"I believe he has some broken teeth and other injuries to his mouth, as he is in excruciating pain." However, I don't believe anything is more grave than that."
The head of Bangkok Airport, Kittipong Kittikachorn, stated that Kitchen's death was likely caused by a heart attack. A number of passengers had to be helped from the aircraft on stretchers when it landed in Bangkok. When the turbulence happened during the breakfast service, one guest reported seeing multiple injured crew members.
Boeing responded to the event by saying,
Regarding SQ321, we are in communication with Singapore Airlines and are prepared to assist them. We are sending our warmest sympathies to the bereaved family and keeping the passengers and crew in our thoughts.
According to Singapore Airlines,
Our top goal is to help every passenger and member of the crew on board the aircraft as much as we can. We are sending a team to Bangkok to provide any further aid required, and we are collaborating with the Thai local authorities to provide the required medical assistance."
Speaking on the upcoming incident investigation, Robert Sumwalt, the former chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in the United States, was interviewed on CBS. Sumwalt emphasised that the investigation's initial two phases will involve speaking with the aircraft's crew and going over the data from the flight data recorder. The video below features the interview.
