On 21 May 2024, A Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-300ER made an emergency landing at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport after squawking 7700 and declaring an emergency, due to severe turbulence.
By: Haotian
Published on: 21 May 2024, 6.28pm (GMT +8)
UPDATE (22 May 2024, 12.05am): The nationalities of the passengers onboard were released.
The B777-300ER took off from London Heathrow and was bound for Singapore. Photo: FlyTeam
A Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-300ER, registered 9V-SWM, and operating flight SQ321 from London Heathrow to Singapore Changi, made an emergency landing at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport at about 4.00pm local time (GMT +7) after squawking 7700 and declaring an emergency while in Thai airspace.
More than 30 passengers suffered injuries as a result of bad weather, and one passenger unfortunately passed away as a result of severe turbulence caused by the weather. According to reports, the passenger that passed away was a 73 year old British man, who likely suffered a heart attack as a result of the turbulence. A picture showed ambulances on the tarmac waiting next to the plane, with airstairs connected.
Ambulances were seen waiting next to the plane. Photo: Unknown
Singapore Airlines commented in a Facebook post:
"We can confirm that there are injuries and one fatality on board the Boeing 777-300ER. There were a total of 211 passengers and 18 crew on board.
Singapore Airlines offers its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased.
Our priority is to provide all possible assistance to all passengers and crew on board the aircraft."
Singapore Airlines said it was working with Thai authorities "to provide the necessary medical assistance", and also sending a team to Bangkok to provide extra help.
The plane was likely struck by clear air turbulence. The aircraft sharply climbed and dropped around 500 feet as it entered Thailand airspace, according to Flightradar24. Passengers onboard SQ321 described the sight as the plane encountered severe turbulence as "people being launched to the ceiling". It is believed that the passengers were having their breakfast on the plane when the incident happened.
The aftermath of the accident. Photo: Reuters
18 passengers have been hospitalised and another 12 are being treated in Bangkok hospitals and will be released once done. Nine crew members have also been taken to the hospital. 7 other passengers are in critical condition and undergoing treatment in Bangkok hospitals. The remaining passengers and crew are being examined and given treatment at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport. The nationalities of the 211 passengers onboard SQ321 were released: 47 from the United Kingdom, 41 from Singapore, 1 from South Korea, 2 from Spain, 4 from the United States, 3 from India, 2 from Indonesia, 1 from Iceland, 1 from Germany, 4 from Ireland, 1 from Israel, 16 from Malaysia, 2 from Myanmar, 23 from New Zealand, 6 from Australia, 2 from Canada, and 5 from the Philippines.
Mr Kittipong Kittikachorn, general manager of Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport said in a press conference that the Thai authorities will cooperate with Singapore to ferry all the affected passengers back to Singapore. A ferry flight, operated by a Singapore Airlines A350-900 and registered 9V-SHH, with the flight number SQ9070, is on its way to Bangkok with its Crisis Management Team onboard. It will also ferry passengers from Bangkok back to Singapore.
The affected aircraft, 9V-SWM, a 16 year old Boeing 777-312ER, entered service again less than a month ago in late April 2024, after being stored for about 2.5 years, due to the pandemic.
This is the first fatality Singapore Airlines has had in 24 years, and the second-ever accident resulting in a death in Singapore Airlines' history.
Project AeroFlight would like to offer our sincerest condolences to the family of the victim.
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