Singapore Airlines flight: Passengers tell of horror flight in which British man dies | BBC News

BBC News
21 May 202409:35

Summary

TLDRA severe turbulence event on a Singapore Airlines flight from London to Singapore resulted in the tragic death of a 73-year-old British man and left seven people critically injured. Passengers experienced a sudden 6,000 ft plunge, with some hitting the ceiling due to the force. The Boeing aircraft, carrying 21 passengers and 18 crew, was diverted to Bangkok for an emergency landing. The Singapore Airlines crew described it as the worst turbulence they had ever encountered, and an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the incident. The aftermath saw traumatized passengers met by ambulances and family members anxiously awaiting news at Changi Airport in Singapore.

Takeaways

  • 😱 A 73-year-old British man died and seven people were critically injured due to severe turbulence on a flight from London to Singapore.
  • đŸ›« The affected flight was operated by Singapore Airlines, carrying 21 passengers and 18 crew members.
  • đŸ“č Passengers captured video showing debris, open overhead lockers, and injured passengers being stretchered off the plane.
  • 🚁 The aircraft was diverted to Bangkok and landed there at around 3:45 PM local time after the incident.
  • đŸ—Łïž A Singapore Airlines crew member described the turbulence as the worst she had experienced in her 30-year career.
  • 🚑 Emergency services were on the tarmac to meet the passengers, who had been eating breakfast when the plane plunged.
  • 😹 Passenger Jerry reported that the plane dropped without warning, and he and others were injured by the sudden plunge.
  • 🛑 The pilot declared an emergency and requested to land at the nearest airport, which was in Bangkok.
  • đŸ€• There were 7 critical injuries, 23 medium injuries including a flight attendant, and the rest were minor.
  • 🔍 An investigation will be conducted to determine if the turbulence was unforeseeable or if other factors were involved.
  • 🌐 The incident highlights the increasing frequency and severity of turbulence, which the aviation industry is working to address.

Q & A

  • What incident occurred on the flight from London to Singapore?

    -A flight from London to Singapore experienced severe turbulence, resulting in the death of a 73-year-old British man and critical injuries to seven people.

  • How many people were on board the Singapore Airlines flight when the incident occurred?

    -There were 21 passengers and 18 crew members on board the Singapore Airlines flight.

  • What was the approximate altitude the aircraft dropped during the turbulence?

    -The aircraft dropped a staggering 6,000 feet during the turbulence.

  • How did the turbulence affect the passengers and crew?

    -The turbulence caused passengers and crew to be thrown against the ceiling, resulting in injuries. Some passengers ended up hitting their heads on the ceiling, and others sustained assaults.

  • What actions were taken by the pilot after the turbulence?

    -The pilot declared an emergency and requested to land at the nearest airport, which was in Bangkok.

  • What was the condition of the passengers upon landing in Bangkok?

    -Upon landing in Bangkok, several ambulances were waiting to attend to the injured passengers, who were then taken off the plane on stretchers.

  • What was the final destination of the flight before it was diverted to Bangkok?

    -The final destination of the flight was Singapore, but it was diverted to Bangkok due to the severe turbulence.

  • How did the Singapore Airlines crew describe the turbulence?

    -A crew member described it as the worst turbulence she had experienced in her 30-year career.

  • What is the general procedure following such an incident for the uninjured passengers?

    -Uninjured passengers are typically met by emergency services and then transported to their final destination, which in this case is expected to be Singapore.

  • What kind of investigation will be conducted into the incident?

    -An investigation will be conducted to determine the cause of the severe turbulence. It will involve gathering recollections from the crew, analyzing recorded flight data, and possibly reviewing the cockpit voice recorder if it has been preserved.

  • What advice can be given to passengers to mitigate the risks associated with turbulence?

    -Passengers are advised to keep their seat belts fastened at all times, as this is their best protection against injuries during turbulence.

Outlines

00:00

😹 Severe Turbulence on London to Singapore Flight

A tragic incident occurred on a Singapore Airlines flight from London to Singapore, resulting in the death of a 73-year-old British man and critical injuries to seven passengers. The aircraft experienced extreme turbulence, causing a sudden 6,000 ft drop and leading to chaos inside the cabin with debris and open overhead lockers. Passengers were seen being stretchered off the plane upon landing in Bangkok, where the flight was diverted. The crew described it as the worst turbulence they had ever encountered. The incident is under investigation to determine if it was an unforeseen event or if there were contributing factors. The aftermath saw shaken passengers met by ambulances and family members anxiously awaiting updates at Changi Airport in Singapore.

05:01

🚁 Investigation and Aftermath of the Turbulent Flight

In the wake of the severe turbulence that a Singapore Airlines flight encountered, an investigation is underway to gather evidence and understand the cause of the incident. The process will involve collecting recollections from the flight crew and cabin staff, analyzing recorded flight data, and examining the cockpit voice recorder if available. The goal is to compile a factual report that details what happened and may offer recommendations to prevent similar occurrences. Aviation consultant and former aircraft accident investigator Tim Atkinson emphasizes the rarity of such events and the importance of keeping seat belts fastened as the best defense against turbulence. He also notes the increasing frequency and severity of turbulence due to climate change and the aviation industry's ongoing efforts to address this issue.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Severe Turbulence

Severe turbulence refers to an abrupt and extreme shaking of an aircraft caused by air currents. In the context of the video, it is the primary cause of the accident, leading to a 73-year-old British man's death and critical injuries to seven people. The turbulence was so intense that it caused the plane to drop 6,000 feet, which is an unusually large change in altitude for a commercial flight.

💡Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines is the carrier operating the flight from London to Singapore that encountered severe turbulence. The airline is mentioned multiple times in the script as the company responsible for the aircraft and its crew, and it is also the organization that will be conducting an investigation into the incident along with aviation authorities.

💡Flight Diversion

A flight diversion occurs when an aircraft is forced to change its intended route due to unforeseen circumstances. In this case, the Singapore Airlines flight was diverted to Bangkok after the turbulence because it was the closest airport where the plane could make an emergency landing. This action was critical for the immediate medical attention of the injured passengers.

💡Emergency Services

Emergency services are organizations that provide urgent assistance in situations of accidents or disasters. The script mentions that emergency services, including ambulances, were waiting on the tarmac to assist the injured passengers once the plane landed in Bangkok. Their presence is a standard protocol in such incidents to ensure rapid medical response.

💡In-flight Safety

In-flight safety involves measures taken to protect passengers and crew during a flight. A key aspect highlighted in the video is the importance of wearing seat belts, which could have potentially prevented injuries if passengers had been wearing them during the turbulence. The investigation will likely focus on whether seat belt signs were illuminated at the time of the incident.

💡Flight Attendant

A flight attendant is a member of the crew on a commercial aircraft responsible for passenger safety and comfort. The script mentions a flight attendant who was among the 23 cases of medium injuries. This underscores the fact that turbulence can affect anyone on board, including trained professionals.

💡Aviation Consultant

An aviation consultant is a professional who provides expert advice on matters related to the aviation industry. In the video, Tim Atkinson, an aviation consultant and former aircraft accident investigator, discusses the potential focus of the investigation into the incident, emphasizing the rarity of such severe turbulence and the importance of keeping seat belts fastened.

💡Investigation

An investigation is a formal inquiry into an incident to determine its causes and identify any necessary corrective actions. The script mentions that an investigation will be conducted to find out if the turbulence was unforeseen or if there were contributing factors. This process will involve gathering flight data, cockpit voice recorder information, and witness accounts.

💡Climate Change

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperature, precipitation, and other atmospheric conditions on Earth. The script notes that as climate change progresses, turbulence is becoming more common and severe, which is a concern for the aviation industry. This suggests that the aviation industry may need to adapt its practices to account for these changes.

💡Passenger Injury

Passenger injury refers to physical harm sustained by individuals while on board an aircraft. The video script describes several types of injuries sustained by passengers, ranging from critical to minor. The injuries resulted from the sudden drop in altitude caused by the severe turbulence, highlighting the potential dangers passengers face during flights.

💡Flight Data Recorder

A flight data recorder is an electronic device on an aircraft that records various parameters of the flight, such as speed, altitude, and direction. The script suggests that the recorded flight data will be a crucial part of the investigation, providing detailed information on the circumstances leading up to the turbulence and the subsequent drop in altitude.

Highlights

A 73-year-old British man died and seven people were critically injured due to severe turbulence on a flight from London to Singapore.

The Singapore Airlines flight was diverted to Bangkok after the incident occurred.

Passengers were thrown from their seats, with injuries ranging from critical to minor, including a flight attendant.

The turbulence was described as the worst experienced by a crew member in her 30-year career.

The aircraft dropped a staggering 6,000 ft, causing passengers not wearing seat belts to hit the ceiling.

The pilot declared an emergency and requested to land at the nearest airport, Bangkok.

The flight was carrying 21 passengers and 18 crew members at the time of the incident.

Passengers were met by several ambulances upon landing in Bangkok.

One passenger described the sudden plunge without warning and the chaos that ensued.

The aircraft was over Thailand during the last stage of a 12-hour flight when the incident happened.

Experts believe the turbulence was a rare occurrence but a frightening one.

Family members and friends of the passengers have been anxiously waiting for updates at Changi Airport in Singapore.

Singapore Airlines sent a team to Bangkok to assist with the situation and support the investigation.

An aviation consultant and former aircraft accident investigator discussed the potential causes and investigation process.

The investigation will involve gathering recollections, flight data, and possibly cockpit voice recorder information.

The effects of turbulence depend on the aircraft size, with larger aircraft like the Boeing 777 being less susceptible to severe encounters.

The aviation industry is addressing the increasing frequency and severity of turbulence due to climate change.

Advice for passengers is to keep their seat belts fastened as the best protection against turbulence.

Transcripts

00:00

a 73-year-old British man has died and

00:02

seven people were critically injured

00:04

when a flight from London to Singapore

00:07

hit severe turbulence passengers shot

00:09

this video inside the plane it shows the

00:12

debris and open overhead lockers as well

00:14

as injured passengers being stretched

00:16

off the plane while ambulances waited on

00:18

the tarmac one of the Singapore Airlines

00:21

crew told a passenger it was the worst

00:23

turbulence she'd experienced in her

00:25

30-year career well this was the scene

00:28

on the tarmac with emergency service

00:30

surrounding the plane the Singapore

00:32

bound aircraft was diverted to Bangkok

00:34

and landed at around 3:45 in the

00:36

afternoon local time it was carrying 21

00:40

passengers and 18 crew well in a moment

00:43

we'll speak live with our correspondent

00:45

who's at Changi Airport in Singapore but

00:47

first here's our southeast Asia

00:49

correspondent Jonathan headed with the

00:51

very

00:53

latest shaken by their terrifying ordeal

00:56

the passengers were met by several

00:57

ambulances as they landed in Bang

01:01

they'd been eating their breakfast when

01:03

the Boeing airliner plunged without

01:06

warning Jerry was traveling with six

01:09

other family members to a wedding in

01:11

Australia bit of turbulence and suddenly

01:14

the plane plunged um I don't know how

01:16

far but it was they said 6,000 ft it

01:19

didn't seem like 6,000 ft but it was a

01:23

long way and so sudden there's no

01:24

warning at all and I ended up hitting my

01:27

head on the uh ceiling my wife did

01:30

some poor people are walking around

01:32

ended up doing some assaults it was

01:36

instantaneous it really

01:40

was and

01:42

horrible the aircraft was over Thailand

01:45

on the last stage of a 12-hour flight

01:48

from London to Singapore when it dropped

01:50

a staggering 6,000 ft experts believe

01:53

throwing any passengers not wearing seat

01:55

belts into the

01:58

ceiling the pilot declared an emergency

02:01

and asked to land at Bangkok the closest

02:06

airport we currently have seven cases of

02:09

critical injuries 23 cases of medium

02:13

injuries including a flight attendant

02:15

the rest are minor

02:17

injuries occasional air turbulence has a

02:19

risk people know comes with modern-day

02:21

flying but the Singapore Airlines crew

02:23

told passengers that this was the worst

02:26

turbulence they had ever experienced it

02:29

will take an in investigation now to

02:30

find out whether this was something that

02:32

came out of the blue or whether there

02:34

were other factors

02:36

involved images from inside the aircraft

02:39

showed just how powerful the forces were

02:42

that the passengers were subjected to a

02:45

rare occurrence certainly but a

02:47

frightening one too Jonathan head BBC

02:50

news

02:52

Bangkok we're joining me now is Monica

02:54

Miller our correspondent who is at

02:56

Changi Airport in Singapore for us and

02:59

Monica so we know that the relatives of

03:01

the victims of this have been arriving

03:03

at the airport and also uh the air

03:06

Airlines and the airport authorities are

03:08

bringing barriers in to try and separate

03:10

the meteor as well from what's

03:14

Happening yeah and know if you can see

03:16

behind me it is quite the barrier uh

03:19

there is uh we're not getting anywhere

03:21

close to these passengers uh that we are

03:23

expected to get off a plate in just a

03:25

few hours these are the people who are

03:27

well enough to have gotten on to reach

03:30

their final destination I mean but if

03:32

you can imagine the family members and

03:34

friends that came to pick these people

03:36

up what was expected to be around 6:00

03:38

p.m. our time here in Singapore it has

03:40

been 8 hours that they have waited to

03:43

hear any information about their loved

03:45

ones or uh whether they were actually

03:47

going to make it here to Singapore as we

03:49

had just heard in Jonathan's report

03:51

several of them are have been

03:52

hospitalized in Bangkok uh where they

03:55

have put these family members is in a

03:57

heavily secured area about three floors

04:00

up from where I'm standing right now

04:02

away from the media to give them some

04:04

privacy also to offer them Services uh

04:06

we did see one family member who was

04:08

visibly shaken by what had happened

04:10

today and there mental health officials

04:13

who are helping them get through this

04:14

process so again we understand that

04:17

there is a flight that will carry the

04:19

healthy passengers to Singapore uh we're

04:22

expecting that hopefully to land uh

04:25

sometime in the next few hours and just

04:28

bring me a little bit more information

04:30

if you can moniker about what Singapore

04:31

Airlines has been saying about what

04:34

happened are we getting any more

04:38

details they yes we've actually been

04:41

getting details on social media through

04:43

x uh as well as Facebook and one of the

04:46

things that they did say in their latest

04:48

statement was that they had sent a team

04:50

over to Bangkok to reinforce the the

04:53

crews that are on the ground also I

04:56

think getting any information to

04:58

investigators as they start to piece

05:00

together exactly what exactly happened

05:03

um but they have also said that uh you

05:06

know they have been offering um all

05:08

kinds of assistance uh to the passengers

05:11

as well as their families uh but beyond

05:13

that uh we are now just waiting for that

05:15

flight to arrive and it's a bit unclear

05:18

uh exactly what time that will be but

05:20

clearly you can see uh they're going to

05:23

try to uh you know Cordon us off from

05:26

having access to them so that they can

05:28

go on with their day it has been a very

05:30

long one I can imagine yes absolutely

05:32

Monica Miller thank you very much indeed

05:34

our correspondent who is in Singapore

05:36

well let's speak now to Tim Atkinson he

05:38

is an aviation consultant and also a

05:41

former aircraft accident investigator so

05:44

it's really interesting uh to talk to

05:45

you thanks so much for joining us on the

05:47

world today um we mentioned there or at

05:50

least uh Monica mentioned that there

05:52

will be obviously some kind of

05:54

Investigation what form would an

05:55

investigation take given uh the evidence

05:58

we have will investigator we be looking

05:59

look at you know the cockpit recorder to

06:02

work out what pilot knew beforehand how

06:05

will it all pan out well it'll be done

06:07

to the investigating authority to

06:09

determine exactly how they proceed but

06:11

yes certainly it will involve Gathering

06:13

uh Recollections from those involved in

06:16

key roles so the flight deck through and

06:17

cabin through uh it'll involve the

06:20

recorded flight data uh which usually

06:22

provides an excellent particularly with

06:25

an aircraft like the trip 7 there'll be

06:27

an excellent Suite of data there which

06:28

will be very informative not only on

06:31

what was happening but we'll give some

06:32

indications as to why it was happening

06:35

um if the cockpit voice recorder has

06:37

been preserved and and very often we

06:39

find that it hasn't been unfortunately

06:41

there are all kinds of things a foot to

06:43

to try to address that um uh frequent

06:46

problem uh but it can provide uh very

06:49

useful information as to why things have

06:51

played out as they have um and those

06:54

things will come together into a report

06:56

which will address factually what

06:58

happened and possibly make some

07:00

recommendations to prevent a similar

07:02

event occurring in the future I mean we

07:04

all know don't we that uh turbulence is

07:06

pretty common but for a person to lose

07:08

their life and for seven people to be

07:11

critically injured and a further 20 or

07:13

so to be injured that is you know some

07:16

something pretty terrifying must have

07:18

happened yes and particularly given that

07:21

the aircraft involved is is a very large

07:23

aircraft um the effects of turbulence uh

07:27

depend rather on the aircraft size small

07:29

small aircraft are more susceptible to

07:31

uh severe turbulence encounters

07:34

resulting in uh injuries or indeed death

07:37

than large ones and given that this is a

07:39

trip 7 uh clearly whatever atmospheric

07:42

event it encountered was very

07:43

significant we are seeing as climate

07:46

change is occurring that turbulence is

07:49

becoming more common and more severe uh

07:52

and that's something which the aviation

07:53

industry is trying to address at the

07:55

moment so you know just if people are

07:57

watching this and are worried about

07:58

turbulence and about how serious these

08:00

things can be what reassurance can you

08:02

give to

08:03

people well events like this are very

08:07

rare indeed uh there are various layers

08:09

of defense against a turbulence

08:11

encounter starting at the pre-flight

08:13

briefing stage when Pilots have

08:15

meteorological forecasts which indicate

08:17

where turbulence might be expected then

08:19

inlight in a tactical way they're

08:22

getting reports from other aircraft

08:23

ahead they're using the weather radar

08:25

and visual observations to see uh where

08:28

turbulence might be occurring however

08:31

those methods are not all robust all the

08:33

time uh the investigation will show what

08:35

kind of turbulence this was and whether

08:37

it might have better been avoided um but

08:41

unpredictable uh encounters nonetheless

08:43

occur my very best advice which I've

08:45

given on I think every welcome on board

08:47

PA that I've delivered in the last 20

08:49

years or so is that if you're in your

08:51

seat keep your seat belt fastened that's

08:53

your best protection against this kind

08:56

of event um and I'm sure the

08:58

investigation will will focus in

09:00

particular on whether the seat Bel signs

09:02

were illuminated at the time and uh and

09:04

indeed possibly the outcomes for those

09:06

passengers who weren't strapped in

09:08

versus those who were right well Tim

09:10

thank you very much for that great

09:12

advice there Tim Atkinson former

09:13

aircraft accident investigator and

09:15

Aviation consultant thank you well you

09:17

can follow this story on our live page

09:20

as always all the very latest updates on

09:23

the uh what authorities are saying and

09:25

of course uh what's happened to the

09:27

victims you can go there on the BBC's

09:30

website or you can also access it via

09:32

the BBC's news app from wherever you are

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Tags associés
Flight TurbulenceSingapore AirlinesLondon to SingaporeEmergency LandingBangkokPassenger SafetyAir TravelAccident InvestigationAviation SafetyClimate ChangeBBC News
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