Singapore Airlines Flight SQ321 Incident Report (May 21, 2024)
Flight Details:
Flight Number: SQ321
Route: London Heathrow (LHR) to Singapore Changi (SIN)
Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER
Date: May 21, 2024
Passengers: 194
Crew: 12
Incident Summary:
Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 encountered severe turbulence approximately three hours before its scheduled arrival in Singapore, resulting in one fatality and numerous injuries. The flight diverted to Bangkok, where passengers and crew received medical attention.
Casualties and Injuries:
One British passenger died, possibly from a heart attack.
Six crew members and 79 passengers remained hospitalized in Bangkok as of May 23, 2024.
Other passengers and crew members sustained minor injuries.
Response and Investigation:
Singapore Airlines dispatched a special flight to Bangkok to transport uninjured passengers and crew back to Singapore.
Singapore's Transport Minister confirmed that the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board is sending technical advisors to assist in the investigation.
Aviation investigators arrived in Bangkok to investigate the cause of the turbulence.
Passenger Accounts:
Passengers described the turbulence as sudden and violent, causing passengers and objects to be thrown around the cabin. Some passengers reported head injuries, bleeding ears, and other trauma.
Official Statements:
Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong expressed condolences to the family of the deceased passenger and pledged support to those affected by the incident.
Singapore's Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat assured the public that a thorough investigation will be conducted to determine the cause of the turbulence and prevent similar incidents in the future.
Additional Information:
Flight tracking data shows that the aircraft experienced a sudden drop in altitude during the turbulence event.
Meteorological reports indicate that thunderstorms were present in the area at the time of the incident.
The investigation is ongoing and further details are expected to be released as they become available.
Sources:
Channel News Asia: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/singapore-airlines-passengers-death-turbulence-london-bangkok-sq321-4352696
A Current Affair: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfRxyDw2sf8
Please note that this is a developing story and the information provided may change as the investigation progresses.
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