A new report from Singapore’s Ministry of Transport revealed the reason for the severe Singapore Airlines turbulence experienced on the recent SIA flight.
Rapid changes in gravitational forces caused the turbulence. The incident resulted in the death of one passenger and injuries to 104 others.
The turbulence event occurred on Flight SQ321, which was traveling from London to Singapore. Approximately 10 hours into the 13-hour flight, the aircraft encountered turbulence while flying over southern Myanmar. The plane, an older-model Boeing 747-300, experienced a sudden shift in gravitational forces from 0.44G to 1.57G, causing it to climb uncommanded by several hundred feet.
As the autopilot corrected the altitude back to 37,000 feet, the plane accelerated, prompting the pilots to deploy an air brake. According to the report, these rapid changes in gravity were likely due to an updraft, causing the plane to rise unexpectedly. Shortly after, the gravitational force shifted from +1.35G to -1.5G in less than a second, which likely caused unbelted passengers to become airborne.
Many of the 211 passengers had just finished breakfast when the turbulence struck. Those not wearing seatbelts were thrown from their seats as the plane lost 178 feet of altitude in less than five seconds.
The violent movements led to numerous injuries among the passengers and crew members.
