KUALA LUMPUR – Singapore Airlines flight SQ321, which experienced severe turbulence resulting in one death and dozens of injuries, dropped 6,000 feet in altitude within just four minutes.
Data from aviation tracker Flightradar24 revealed that the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft began losing altitude off the coast of Myanmar over the Andaman Sea this afternoon.
The plane landed at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok approximately 45 minutes later.
Speaking to Scoop, former Malaysian Airlines director of operations Capt Mohd Kamil Abu Bakar said such a quick descent is “not normal” during regular flights.
“That’s an average of 1,500 feet per minute (for a) descent. In turbulence, the aircraft will not lose that much altitude.
“The loss of such altitude could be due to descent made by the pilots to escape the turbulence,” Kamil said when contacted.
Earlier today, it was reported that flight SQ321 from London Heathrow Airport to Singapore experienced turbulence, resulting in one death and about 30 injured.
Meanwhile, Thai netizen @joe_black317 shared what is believed to be photos of the aircraft’s interior following the incident on X, showing spilt food and an injured stewardess in the galley.
Additionally, one of the passengers, Andrew Davies, who identified himself on X, mentioned that other individuals on the flight who were not injured were currently in a holding area at the airport.
Based on his post, one of the deceased is a man.
“Those not injured (including me) are in a holding area at Bangkok airport.
“My heart goes out to the gentleman who lost his life and his poor wife,” @andrewdavies_70 said.
In a statement today, Singapore Airlines confirmed the incident but did not specify the nationality of the deceased individuals or whether they were crew or passengers.
“Singapore Airlines flight SQ321, operating from London (Heathrow) to Singapore on May 20 encountered severe turbulence en route.
“The aircraft diverted to Bangkok and landed at 1545 hrs (3.45pm) local time on 21 May 2024.
“We can confirm that there are injuries and one fatality on board the Boeing 777-300ER,” the statement said. – May 21, 2024