Storm activity was blamed for turbulence that led to a fatal incident on a Singapore Airlines flight, according to an expert. The ex-pilot, Richard Woodward, suggested that human error caused flight SQ321 to encounter severe turbulence from a thunderstorm. The flight departed from London Heathrow with 211 passengers and 18 crew on board and had to divert to Bangkok after the turbulence hit 10 hours into the journey to Singapore.
Tragically, a 73-year-old British passenger, Geoffrey Kitchen, passed away due to a suspected heart attack during the incident. Seven others were left critically injured, and many more passengers were taken to the hospital for evaluation. Woodward, who is a former Australian Air Force and Qantas pilot with 33 years of flying experience, theorised that the crew made a “terrible miscalculation” based on satellite images over Myanmar.
He highlighted that the airspace above Myanmar is known for its thunderstorms and suggested that the crew might have flown directly into a building storm without deviation from the route. Initial investigations by Singapore’s Transport Safety Investigation Bureau (TSIB) indicated that the flight likely encountered Clear Air Turbulence (CAT), but Woodward disputed this claim, stating that the evidence pointed towards a thunderstorm.
Woodward pointed out that other aircraft in the area had taken different routes to avoid the storm, indicating that the Singapore Airlines crew could have potentially seen the storm on their radar and taken evasive action. The TSIB probe disclosed that passengers on flight SQ321 experienced 19 seconds of extreme turbulence, including a sudden drop of 178 feet in just 4.6 seconds.
The airline later revealed that an uncommanded increase in aircraft altitude occurred during the turbulence, leading to the autopilot adjusting to descend back to the assigned altitude. The abrupt dive caused chaos in the cabin, with passengers being thrown around and some sustaining injuries from hitting the ceiling. Singapore Airlines expressed regret over the traumatic experience and offered compensation to affected passengers.
Following the incident, the airline implemented a more cautious approach to managing turbulence in-flight, including pausing meal services and ensuring cabin crew are secured. Investigations are ongoing, with the full report on the incident expected to be delivered within the next two years. Singapore Airlines assured cooperation with authorities in the investigation, while discussions on compensations for affected passengers continue.
The airline is in talks with passengers or their representatives regarding compensation, with a commitment to providing assistance promptly. Aviation experts and legal professionals have urged Singapore Airlines to take responsibility for the incident and appropriately compensate passengers affected by the turbulence. The airline’s focus on safety measures and compensation processes will be under scrutiny as the investigation unfolds.