Passenger killed and 30 injured after flight from London hit by severe turbulence
One passenger has been killed on a flight from London to Singapore after the aircraft was struck by severe turbulence.
Others were also left injured, forcing the Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-300ER to divert to Bangkok.
The flight plunged 7,000ft in just minutes as it flew over the west coast of Burma, according to flight data.
The airline said: ‘Singapore Airlines flight #SQ321, operating from London (Heathrow) to Singapore on 20 May 2024 encountered severe turbulence en-route.
‘We can confirm that there are injuries and one fatality on board.
‘Singapore Airlines offers its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased.
‘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.’
The aircraft, registered 9V-SWM, was seen on the tarmac at Suvarnabhumi Airport surrounded by ambulances.
What is turbulence?
Turbulence is often referred to as ‘rough air’, caused by changes in wind speed and direction.
Thunderstorms, jet streams, changes in temperature, updraughts and weather fronts can all lead to turbulence.
Turbulence is generally classed as one of four categorisations – light, moderate, severe and extreme.
In severe turbulence planes may be subjected to large, abrupt changes in altitude, and the aircraft may be temporarily out of control.
In extreme turbulence the aircraft is ‘violently tossed about and practically impossible to control’, according to the US National Weather Service.
Because turbulence is not just caused by bad weather it is not always visible to pilots, and some turbulence also cannot be spotted by radar.
It plunged from 38,000ft to 31,000ft over Meinmadaung on the west coast of Burma, according to flight tracker Flightradar24.
There were a total of 211 passengers and 18 crew members on board.
The plane landed at 3.45pm local time (8am GMT).
In December 11 passengers on a flight to Manchester Airport were left injured after severe turbulence struck the aircraft as it set off from Barbados.
The plane turned around nearly three hours into the flight after ‘severe clear air turbulence’.
The pilot was forced to divert the flight to Bermuda due to the passengers’ injuries.
In June five crew members were hurt after terrifying turbulence hit a packed British Airways flight at 30,000ft.
One of the in-flight staff needed surgery and one suffered concussion and a dislocated ankle, while another required an MRI scan on a severely bruised hip.
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