Singapore Airlines Triple Seven hits severe turbulence
Not something we mention often, but given the outcome of this accident (as in this case sadly someone died, making it an accident by definition) we will report it.
It involved this Boeing Triple Seven of Singapore Airlines (9V-SWM, 34578) which was operating flight SQ321 from London-Heathrow, having left on 20 May 2024 but the accident happened on 21 May, which encountered an area of severe turbulence while in cruise flight at FL370 over the Irrawaddy Basin in Myanmar. During breakfast service it plunged 6,000 feet (1,800 metres) in minutes. Control was quickly regained by the flght crew but a 73-year-old British man was killed (due to a heart attack).
The aircraft diverted to Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi Airport, Thailand and landed safely. Upon arrival at the gate it was met by ambulances, who transported the wounded to nearby hospitals. 46 passengers and two crew members were still receiving treatment in Bangkok, with 22 people being treated for spinal injuries, while six people were in critical condition with life-threatening injuries.
At the time of the accident the aircraft was flying near severe thunderstorms and most likely encountered CAT, or Clear Air Turbulence. This is a sudden and severe swirl that causes violent buffeting of an aircraft even where there are no clouds, and therefore hard to predict.
When an aircraft encounters turbulence and suddenly moves, anything not secured, such as passengers, can continue moving in the original direction, while the plane moves in another. Injuries from turbulence can occur as passengers are thrust towards the ceiling of the aircraft, hence many people with spinal injuries.
Credits: Flightradar24, Reuters, BBC