This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

fact-checked

reputable news agency

proofread

Singapore Airlines jet endured huge swings in gravitational force during turbulence, report says

Singapore Airlines jet endured huge swings in gravitational force during turbulence, report says
The Boeing 777-300ER aircraft of Singapore Airlines, is parked after the SQ321 London-Singapore flight, that encountered severe turbulence, at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, near Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, May 22, 2024. The Singapore Airlines flight descended 6,000 feet (around 1,800 meters) in about three minutes, the carrier said Tuesday. A British man died and authorities said dozens of passengers were injured, some severely. Credit: AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit

The Singapore Airlines jetliner that hit severe turbulence last week went through huge swings in gravitational force in less than five seconds, likely causing the injuries to people who weren't buckled into their seats, according to a preliminary report Wednesday by Singapore's Transport Ministry.

The plane dropped 178 feet (54 meters) in less than one second, which "likely resulted in the occupants who were not belted up to become airborne" before falling back down, the Transport Ministry said.

A 73-year-old British man died of a suspected heart attack and dozens were injured after the Boeing 777, which was flying from London to Singapore on May 21, ran into turbulence that hurled people and items around the cabin. The plane, with 211 passengers and 18 crew members, made an emergency landing in Bangkok.

Singapore's Transport Ministry said investigators, including those from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, Federal Aviation Administration and Boeing, had compiled a chronology of events based on the preliminary analysis of the flight's data and cockpit voice recorders.

Early findings show that as the plane cruised at about 37,000 feet over southern Myanmar, it began to experience slight vibration due to changes in the , the ministry said. The jet's altitude increased—likely caused by an updraft, not by any action of the pilots—causing the autopilot system to push the plane back down to the selected altitude, the report said.

The pilots also noticed an uncommanded increase in airspeed, which they tried to check by extending panels called speed brakes, and "a pilot called out that the fasten seat belt sign had been switched on."

A few seconds later, the plane entered the sharp drop that caused unbelted passengers to come out of their seats before falling back.

"This sequence of events likely caused the injuries to the crew and passengers," the report said.

Singapore Airlines jet endured huge swings in gravitational force during turbulence, report says
An Australian passenger, center, who was injured on a flight that was battered by severe turbulence, talks to reporters at Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, May 23, 2024. The airline's Flight SQ321 was flying from London’s Heathrow airport to Singapore when it hit the turbulence Tuesday, bashing people around inside the plane. Credit: AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit

The pilots disengaged the autopilot to stabilize the plane, the report said, and flew it manually for 21 seconds before going back to autopilot.

The plane made a normal, controlled descent and didn't encounter further turbulence until it landed in Bangkok almost an hour later, the ministry said, adding that investigations are ongoing.

Passengers have described the "sheer terror" of the aircraft shuddering, loose items flying and injured people lying paralyzed on the floor of the plane.

Twenty-six people remained hospitalized in Bangkok on Wednesday. Hospital authorities earlier said injuries included spinal or , skull or brain injuries and damage to bones or internal organs.

It was unclear what caused the turbulence. Most people associate turbulence with heavy storms, but the most dangerous type is so-called clear air turbulence. Wind shear can occur in wispy cirrus clouds or even in clear air near thunderstorms, as differences in temperature and pressure create powerful currents of fast-moving air.

According to a 2021 report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, turbulence accounted for 37.6% of all accidents on larger commercial airlines between 2009 and 2018. The Federal Aviation Administration has said there were 146 serious injuries from from 2009 to 2021.

© 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Citation: Singapore Airlines jet endured huge swings in gravitational force during turbulence, report says (2024, May 29) retrieved 25 June 2024 from https://techxplore.com/news/2024-05-singapore-airlines-jet-huge-gravitational.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

Aviation experts to begin probe of Singapore Airlines turbulence incident that left British man dead

9 shares

Feedback to editors