Terrifying Turbulence: Chaos Unleashed on Singapore Airlines Flight at 37,000 Feet
Witnesses recount a harrowing experience on a Singapore Airlines flight when severe turbulence struck, causing a sudden and alarming descent. Passengers onboard the Boeing aircraft, with 229 individuals, described the chaotic scene as 'all hell broke loose' in the skies.
Passengers aboard a Singapore Airlines flight that encountered severe turbulence on Tuesday shared their experience of a sudden, intense drop as chaos erupted on the Boeing aircraft carrying 229 passengers and crew.
Flight SQ321 was flying at 37,000 feet from London to Singapore when data from flight tracking revealed that the plane experienced a rapid descent followed by a climb of several hundred feet, repeating this pattern for approximately 90 seconds.
Passenger Andrew Davies, who was on a business trip to New Zealand, initially thought the flight was going smoothly. He mentioned that there was no turbulence and described it as a normal experience.
During the incident, a lot of passengers were having breakfast.
About nine or 10 hours into the roughly 13-hour flight, he was watching a movie when he saw the seat belt sign light up – so he put his seat belt on. “Thank goodness I did because within moments of doing that, all hell broke loose,” he told CNN.
“The plane just felt like it dropped. It probably only lasted a few seconds, but I remember vividly seeing shoes and iPads and iPhones and cushions and blankets and cutlery and plates and cups flying through the air and crashing to the ceiling. The gentleman next to me had a cup of coffee, which went straight all over me and up to the ceiling,” Davies said.
Images from the plane afterward show the cabin in disarray, with papers, cups and water pitchers scattered on the floor, and ceiling panels and piping hanging loose.
The interior of Singapore Airline flight SQ321 is pictured after an emergency landing at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Thailand, on May 21.
The interior of Singapore Airline flight SQ321 is pictured after an emergency landing at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Thailand, on May 21.
Reuters
Davies was seated near the front of the plane and saw many passengers getting injured, including Geoff Kitchen, a 73-year-old man who sadly passed away during the flight.
"He was sitting just behind me," Davies recalled. "There were a lot of people needing help, but we focused on assisting him. I helped move him out of his seat and lay him on the floor for medical professionals to perform CPR."
Kitchen received CPR for approximately 20 minutes, according to Davies. He mentioned that amidst the chaos, there was a lot of screaming and visible injuries among the passengers. He recalled seeing one passenger with a large cut on her head, blood streaming down her face, and another elderly passenger in a state of severe shock.
Another passenger, 28-year-old student Dzafran Azmir, shared with Reuters that the plane started to tilt upwards and shake.
Azmir shared with Reuters that a sudden and dramatic drop caused passengers without seatbelts to be thrown into the ceiling. Some individuals hit their heads on the overhead baggage cabins, causing dents and damage to areas with lights and masks.
According to Azmir, the turbulence happened very quickly, leaving passengers and crew unable to react in time. Some passengers were still in the airplane bathrooms and flight attendants were standing when the turbulence struck.
A Singapore airline aircraft requested an emergency landing at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Thailand on May 21, 2024. The image shows the aircraft on the tarmac. 
Pongsak Suksi/Reuters
Related article
Air turbulence can pose a danger in the skies. In a recent incident, a plane had to be diverted to Bangkok. The original flight had 211 passengers and 18 crew members. Fortunately, 143 passengers were safely transported to Singapore on a relief flight. Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong provided updates in a video message on Facebook.
The remaining 79 passengers and 6 crew members are currently in Bangkok, along with their family members and those who are receiving medical treatment.
The injured individuals are from various countries such as Australia, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Spain, the United States, and Ireland, as reported by the hospital where they are being taken care of.
Kittipong Kittikachorn, the general manager of the Bangkok airport, mentioned on Tuesday that initial investigations indicate Kitchen may have had a heart condition. The autopsy is still being conducted.
He also mentioned that a few passengers had broken arms, but most of the injuries were cuts and bruises.
Goh, the CEO, expressed his sympathy to Kitchen's family and friends, stating that the airline is "deeply saddened by this incident" and apologizing for the distressing experience that passengers went through. Additionally, he mentioned that the airline is working closely with authorities in the investigation.
The Ministry of Transport in Singapore is looking into the incident. They announced on Tuesday that they are coordinating with officials in Thailand and will be sending investigators to Bangkok. The US National Transportation Safety Board is also sending a team to Singapore to assist with the investigation. This team includes a representative from the board and four technical advisors.
Editor's P/S:
The harrowing experience faced by passengers on Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 is a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of air travel. The sudden, violent turbulence that engulfed the aircraft resulted in injuries and chaos, highlighting the importance of adhering to safety protocols and remaining vigilant during flights. The images of the cabin interior scattered with debris and loose panels paint a vivid picture of the pandemonium that ensued.
The tragic loss of Geoff Kitchen during the incident is a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the ever-present risks associated with air travel. The outpouring of support and assistance from fellow passengers during the ordeal underscores the resilience and compassion of the human spirit in the face of adversity. The ongoing investigations by authorities in Singapore, Thailand, and the United States will shed light on the exact cause of the turbulence and help prevent similar incidents in the future.
