In a terrifying incident last week, a Singapore Airlines flight experienced rapid changes in gravitational force, causing a 178-feet altitude drop that resulted in the death of a 73-year-old British man and numerous injuries to passengers who were not buckled up during extreme turbulence.
The Boeing 777, en route from London to Singapore, encountered the turbulence over the south of Myanmar, leading to a chaotic scene inside the cabin with people and items being hurled around. The plane, carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew members, was forced to make an emergency landing in Bangkok.
According to a preliminary investigation by Singapore’s Transport Ministry, the aircraft’s autopilot attempted to stabilize the plane after it climbed to an altitude of 37,362 feet due to changes in gravitational force. The rapid changes in G-force over a 4.6-second duration caused the aircraft to drop 178 feet, resulting in injuries to both passengers and crew.
Passengers described the harrowing experience of the aircraft shaking violently, loose items flying around, and injured individuals lying on the floor of the plane. Twenty-six people remained hospitalized in Bangkok, with injuries ranging from spinal damage to brain injuries.
The cause of the turbulence remains unclear, but experts warn that clear air turbulence, which can occur without warning in seemingly calm skies, poses a significant risk to aviation safety. Turbulence accounted for a significant percentage of accidents on commercial airlines in recent years, highlighting the need for improved safety measures and awareness among passengers.