Singapore Airlines plane fall 54 meters in seconds, flight data reveals

A Singapore Airlines flight encountered severe turbulence recently, according to a preliminary investigation. The plane rapidly descended over 54 meters (177 feet) in less than five seconds.

A 73-year-old passenger died of a suspected heart attack and several people were injured after flight SQ321 from London to Singapore encountered with sudden turbulence while flying over Myanmar.

The flight carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew was diverted to Bangkok for an emergency landing.

Singapore’s transport ministry said in a statement, “The aircraft experienced a quick change in gravitational force, this likely resulted in the passengers who were not belted up to become airborne and fall back down.”

“The rapid changes in gravitational force over the 4.6 seconds duration resulted in an altitude drop of 178ft (54m), from 37,362ft to 37,184ft. This sequence of events likely caused the injuries to the crew and passengers,” the statement further said.

Photos of the cabin revealed gashes in the overhead panels, oxygen masks and panels hanging from the ceiling, and luggage scattered around.

One passenger reported that some people's heads had slammed into the lights above the seats, breaking the panels.

Singapore Airlines said they were cooperating fully with the investigation.

“We are committed to support our passengers and crew who were onboard SQ321 on that day, as well as their families and loved ones,” it said in a statement.

The airline informed 45 people who were onboard the flight were still in Bangkok, including 28 passengers receiving medical treatment in hospital.

The investigation team comprised Singaporean investigators, representatives from Boeing and US officials from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

(With inputs from agencies)