Singapore Airlines Flight 321
 | This article documents a recent aviation incident. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. (May 2024) |
.jpg) 9V-SWM, the aircraft involved in the incident, in 2020 | |
| Incident | |
|---|---|
| Date | 21 May 2024 |
| Summary | In-flight turbulence, under investigation |
| Site | above Myanmar 16°29′06″N 95°11′24″E / 16.48500°N 95.19000°E |
| Aircraft | |
| Aircraft type | Boeing 777-312ER[a] |
| Operator | Singapore Airlines |
| IATA flight No. | SQ321 |
| ICAO flight No. | SIA321 |
| Call sign | SINGAPORE 321 |
| Registration | 9V-SWM |
| Flight origin | London Heathrow Airport, London, United Kingdom |
| Destination | Singapore Changi Airport, Changi, Singapore |
| Occupants | 229 |
| Passengers | 211 |
| Crew | 18 |
| Fatalities | 1 |
| Injuries | 71 |
| Survivors | 228 |
Singapore Airlines Flight 321 is a regular scheduled flight from London Heathrow Airport to Singapore Changi Airport. On 21 May 2024, the Boeing 777-312ER operating the flight encountered severe turbulence over Myanmar resulting in one death and 71 injuries.[1][2][3] The aircraft made an emergency landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok at approximately 15:45 local time (08:45 UTC).
The aircraft was carrying 229 people, comprising 211 passengers and 18 crew members.[4]
Aircraft
The plane involved was a 16-year-old Boeing 777-312ER[a] registered as 9V-SWM, with manufacturer serial number 34578 and line number 701. The aircraft was delivered to Singapore Airlines in 2008.[citation needed]
Incident
The Boeing 777-312ER encountered severe clear-air turbulence over the Irrawaddy Basin in Myanmar, around 360 nautical miles (667 km; 414 mi) from Bangkok.[3][4] The plane fell into an air pocket while the cabin crew were serving breakfast.[5] When the plane encountered the turbulence next, the passengers and objects were thrown into the air.[3][4] Some passengers claim the "fasten seat belt" sign was turned on but came on too late to prevent injuries.[6] Tracking data showed that the aircraft was at an altitude of 37,000 feet (11,278 m) at the time of the encounter.[7] Singapore Airlines said the aircraft descended 6,000 feet (1,829 m) within three minutes.[1]
One passenger died and 71 others were injured,[1] seven critically. Among the injured occupants were 23 passengers and nine crew members.[3][4][8] The fatality was a 73-year-old British man travelling with his wife, who was hospitalised.[1] The man was suffering from a heart condition and died from a suspected heart attack.[3][4] Images show that the oxygen masks were deployed while parts of the plane's interior appeared damaged.[9][10]
The flight was diverted to Bangkok, where it made an emergency landing at 15:45 local time.[11][12][13] Thai officials said that Singapore would send a relief aircraft to carry passengers to the original destination of Changi Airport;[7] the relief flight carried 131 passengers and 12 crew members and arrived in Singapore the next morning.[14]
Flightradar24 also noted that some media reports mistakenly described the pilots' initial descent from 37,000 feet to 31,000 feet towards Bangkok as the turbulence event. Although the aircraft might have continued to encounter turbulence during this descent, it was actually a routine descent to a new flight level, managed by the aircraft's autopilot through altitude selection.[15]
Investigation
Investigators from the Transport Safety Investigation Bureau, a statutory board under the Ministry of Transport of Singapore, arrived in Bangkok on the night of the incident.[16] They were reported to be working with Thai counterparts for the investigation.[17]
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) was also reported to be sending an accredited representative and four technical advisers to support in the investigation process as it involves a Boeing aircraft.[16]
Reactions
Singapore Airlines expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and sent a team of 50 staff to Bangkok to provide additional assistance.[17]
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore said that staff at its embassy in Bangkok were "on-site at Suvarnabhumi Airport and the hospital to render the necessary consular assistance to affected Singaporeans and their next-of-kin."[18] Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat expressed condolences to the dead and said that officials from the Singaporean government and Singapore Airlines were "providing support to the affected passengers and their families."[7] President Tharman Shanmugaratnam extended condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased and wished the injured a smooth recovery while adding that although "having no details of the affected, the government ministries and agencies are doing their utmost to support all those affected and working with the authorities in Bangkok". Prime Minister Lawrence Wong also reiterated the government's cooperation with Thailand and support for the passengers and crew.[17] Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong offered his thoughts and prayers tho those affected especially the deceased and injured while expressing his gratitude to Singapore and overseas helpers.
Officials from the British and Malaysian embassies visited hospitals in Bangkok where their nationals were being treated. The Malaysian Foreign Ministry said nine of its citizens, including a crew member, were injured.[1]
Boeing said it was in contact with Singapore Airlines over the accident and pledged its support.[4]
See also
Other similar aviation occurrences:
- China Airlines Flight 006 (1985)
- United Airlines Flight 826 (1997)
- Qantas Flight 72 (2008)
- LATAM Airlines Flight 800 (2024)
Notes
- ^ a b The airliner was a Boeing 777-300ER model; Boeing assigns a unique code for each company that buys one of its airliners, which is applied as a suffix to the model number at the time the aircraft is built, hence "777-312ER" designates a 777-300ER built for Singapore Airlines (customer code 12).
References
- ^ a b c d e Napat, Kongsawad (22 May 2024). "Most of passengers from battered Singapore Airlines jetliner arrive in Singapore from Bangkok". Associated Press.
- ^ Guinto, Joel; Fraser, Simon (21 May 2024). "Singapore Airlines: One dead, several hurt in severe turbulence". BBC News.
- ^ a b c d e Gecsoyler, Sammy; Lowe, Yohannes (21 May 2024). "Singapore Airlines flight: one dead and more than 20 injured after severe turbulence – latest updates | Air transport | The Guardian". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f Amos, Owen; Moloney, Marita; Cursino, Malu (21 May 2024). "British man, 73, dies during severe turbulence on London-Singapore flight". BBC. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
- ^ Rakshika, Vihanya; Hamzah, Aqil; Yufeng, Kok (21 May 2024). "One dead, dozens injured after Singapore Airlines flight from London hit by severe turbulence". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
- ^ "Singapore Airlines: Passengers describe chaos of fatal turbulence flight". Sky News. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
- ^ a b c "British man dies and several passengers are injured when turbulence hits a Singapore Airlines flight". Associated Press. 21 May 2024. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
- ^ "Singapore Airlines: British man dies in severe turbulence as flight from London Heathrow forced to land in Bangkok". Sky News. 21 May 2024. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
- ^ "Head injuries and bleeding ears: Passengers recount chaos on turbulent Singapore Airlines flight". CNA. 21 May 2024. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
- ^ "Elderly British man dies after severe turbulence hits Singapore Airlines flight". CNA. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
- ^ Hradecky, Simon (21 May 2024). "Accident: Singapore B773 near Bangkok on May 21st 2024, severe turbulence kills one and injures 30". The Aviation Herald. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
- ^ Sinclair, Harriet (21 May 2024). "Singapore Airlines latest: Passenger killed and 30 injured in turbulence on London flight". Yahoo! News. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
- ^ "One dead and others injured after turbulence hits London to Singapore flight". FINANCIAL TIMES. 21 May 2024. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
- ^ "Singapore Airlines relief flight arrives at Changi Airport after passengers, crew shaken by severe turbulence". CNA. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
- ^ Petchenik, Ian (21 May 2024). "1 dead, dozens injured in SQ321 turbulence". Flightradar24 Blog. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
- ^ a b "SIA relief flight with passengers and crew members of SQ321 arrives in Singapore". The Straits Times. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
- ^ a b c "One dead, 30 injured after Singapore Airlines flight from London hit by severe turbulence". The Straits Times. 21 May 2024. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
- ^ "Recap: Singapore Airlines passenger who died is British man who likely had heart attack". The Straits Times. 21 May 2024. Retrieved 22 May 2024.