Underneath flight quantity SQ321, Singapore Airways connects Europe’s largest airport, London Heathrow, with the city-state of Singapore day-after-day. Singapore usually makes use of a Boeing 777-300 on the route. This was additionally the case with the spherical that began in Heathrow on the night of Might 20 – but it surely didn’t finish first in Singapore, however ended unplanned within the Thai capital of Bangkok.
One other touchdown in Bangkok
The 16-year-old Triple Seven with the registration quantity 9V-SWM, painted within the colours of the Star Alliance airline group, had taken off from London at 10:38 pm native time and had already accomplished a lot of its almost 13 – an hour lengthy flight when he was all of the sudden hit by violent turbulence at an altitude of 37,000 ft (11,278 meters) over the Andaman Sea. After falling (managed) to 31,000 ft, the pilots determined to land in Bangkok, about 400 kilometers to the east. About half-hour later, the 777-300 landed safely at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Coronary heart assault on board
The rationale for the unscheduled touchdown in Thailand was tragic: the sudden turbulence induced dramatic scenes within the cabin – and resulted within the harm of 30, who have been instantly taken to hospitals after touchdown. However for one passenger, a 73-year-old Briton, any assistance on the bottom got here too late: he was pronounced lifeless on the scene. Apparently he suffered a coronary heart assault because of the turmoil. By social media condolences to Singapore Airways on Tuesday with the deceased passenger: “Singapore Airways extends its deepest condolences to the household of the deceased.”
An investigation is underway
The airline additionally stated it’s working intently with the Thai authorities to offer the absolute best medical help to the passengers on flight SQ321. There’s additionally a staff from the airline en path to Bangkok. Air crash investigators have begun their work. In keeping with official data, there have been 211 passengers and 18 crew members on board the 9V-SWM. “Our precedence is to offer all potential help to all passengers and crew on board the plane,” Singapore Airways stated in an announcement. The Third Seven who have been concerned within the incident are nonetheless in Bangkok.