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.
🛫 The affected flight was operated by Singapore Airlines, carrying 21 passengers and 18 crew members.
📹 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.
🗣️ 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.
🤕 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.