SQ321 LHR-SIN Encountered Severe Turbulence [At least 1 Fatality and 30 Injured]

[milehighclub]

So my last flight I wondered around to observe seat belt usage during the flight whilst sign off given this recent event. A high number of a passengers didn't have it on and not once but twice, actually had to tell two seperate parents not to sit on floor at bulkhead with child.

 

[MooTime]

So my last flight I wondered around to observe seat belt usage during the flight whilst sign off given this recent event. A high number of a passengers didn't have it on and not once but twice, actually had to tell two seperate parents not to sit on floor at bulkhead with child.

I've sat on floor with my children at times. Obviously when seat belt sign is on I teach my boys it's a must to utilise the seat belt. That space on ecoX row 3 on VA tubes is super.

 

[NM]

Australian Aviation reports that a Brisbane-based law firm is investigating whether compensation claims may be possible, considering if weather or human error was to blame. The same law firm is representing passengers from the LATAM incident which does appear to be human error or equipment failure and not weather-related,

Singapore Airlines passengers may be compensated for turbulence

Carter Capner Law said it is currently investigating if the weather or human error is to blame for turbulence on board Singapore Airlines Flight 321 which left one dead and 43 passengers and crew injured.

australianaviation.com.au

This report provide a little clarity around the Montreal Convention compensation:

Under the Montreal 1999 Convention, affected passengers may still be able to claim up to $260,000 for proven losses, such as medical expenses, loss of amenities of life, and income loss for proven injury.

.
It notes such compensation may be available to cover "proven losses". Seems it will come down to whether or not the crew should have been expected to identify and avoid the severe turbulence.

 

[NM]

So my last flight I wondered around to observe seat belt usage during the flight whilst sign off given this recent event. A high number of a passengers didn't have it on and not once but twice, actually had to tell two seperate parents not to sit on floor at bulkhead with child.

Did you make any comments or suggestions to people seated without seatbelt fastened? If so, how well was the advice/information accepted by the passengers?

 

[drron]

I've sat on floor with my children at times. Obviously when seat belt sign is on I teach my boys it's a must to utilise the seat belt. That space on ecoX row 3 on VA tubes is super.

But in this incident there was very little time from sign on to severe turbulence. Anyone with seat belt not on probably had not enough time to do it up.

 

[jb747]

Pretty well all passengers have seen the occasional bit of chop. Nothing of any real consequence, and you could probably walk down the aisle if you had to. But, they then think that that, or perhaps something slightly worse, is actually turbulence. This forum has lots of regular flyers, but I'd reckon the chances are, that across the entire forum, only a tiny percentage have ever seen real turbulence.

The upshot of this though, is that people think that they can hold themselves in the seat (or in position on the floor). Good luck with that.

 

[dajop]

This forum has lots of regular flyers, but I'd reckon the chances are, that across the entire forum, only a tiny percentage have ever seen real turbulence.

Agree with this totally. In about 2000 flights I can't recall anything that would have resulted in galley carts and people hitting the ceiling (or rather ceiling hitting the galley carts and people?) Lots of shakes, and a couple of times cups jumping up from the tray table, but nothing significant. Nevertheless always keep my belt fastened. Maybe they need incorporate SQ321 images (like in road safety campaigns) in the safety videos - instead of travelogues, comedy and cute cartoons - but I guess that would make it traumatic for those already anxious about flying.

Probably the scariest "turbulence" I've experienced on any of those flights has been on Rex Saab's, but they're obviously a tad smaller than a 777 so I guess it doesn't take much for them to jump about.

 

[mjt57]

only a tiny percentage have ever seen real turbulence.

And so it should be. What I've experienced is enough. Usually happens when I'm trying to sleep. Annoying.

Although on a Deathstar flight MEL-HON on a Nightmareliner it was a bit rough then the A/C "plunged". And bottomed out with a loud bang and thump.

I got of the aircraft about half an inch shorter...

 

[AIRwin]

I got of the aircraft about half an inch shorter...

What part?

 

[jpp42]

on a Deathstar flight MEL-HON

Wait, Onestar flies to Huron, Beadle County, South Dakota, USA ? That's definitely a new market , gotta be even smaller than the places Bonza tried

 

[I love to travel]

So my last flight I wondered around to observe seat belt usage during the flight whilst sign off given this recent event. A high number of a passengers didn't have it on and not once but twice, actually had to tell two seperate parents not to sit on floor at bulkhead with child.

I don' know whether to use the sad or wow emoji for this. Some people just don't get it.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Singapore Airlines have announced changes to their procedures when the seatbelt light is on. No more meal service etc

They need to urgently align their messaging as well. They need to make it crystal clear that when seated, it is a company requirement that you have your seat belt 'firmly' fastened—as another airline does. The safety video only 'recommends' being belted when seated, which contradicts the safety card.

A BNE law firm is considering a class action against SQ. The same firm is investigating the recent 'LATAM' incident to determine whether a case exists for affected pax.

 

[TheRealTMA]

They need to urgently align their messaging as well. They need to make it crystal clear that when seated, it is a company requirement that you have your seat belt 'firmly' fastened—as another airline does. The safety video only 'recommends' being belted when seated, which contradicts the safety card.

A BNE law firm is considering a class action against SQ. The same firm is investigating the recent 'LATAM' incident to determine whether a case exists for affected pax.

Problem is, ambulance chasing lawyers aside, airlines have a duty of care but some (shock!) personal responsibility is required and some, beyond me as to why, just have to undo seatbelts as soon as possible. You can take a horse to water but not…, and there’s the Darwin Award for some.

 

[Comoman]

Here is the actual altitude drop - 54metres in 4 secs:

Singapore Airlines turbulence: Flight experienced 'rapid change in gravitational force', investigation finds

A 73-year-old British man died from a suspected heart attack when the flight hit severe turbulence on 21 May. Now, an investigation into the incident has discovered the severity of the turbulence.

news.sky.com

G forces also clearly played a role.

 

[Sprucegoose]

I've sat on floor with my children at times

Interestingly, you see planes as akin to daycare centres and (willingly or otherwise?) ignore the risks of being unrestrained. Most of us also understand the challenges of keeping kids occupied during flights.

Post automatically merged: May 29, 2024

Here is the actual altitude drop - 54metres in 4 secs:

Singapore Airlines turbulence: Flight experienced 'rapid change in gravitational force', investigation finds

A 73-year-old British man died from a suspected heart attack when the flight hit severe turbulence on 21 May. Now, an investigation into the incident has discovered the severity of the turbulence.

news.sky.com

Almost the height of the Leaning Tower of Pisa - as reported!

 

[Comoman]

More detailed regulator report - interesting reading:

Transport Safety Investigation Bureau Preliminary Investigation Findings of Incident Involving SQ321

1. The Transport Safety Investigation Bureau of Singapore TSIB has extracted the data stored in the flight data recorder FDR and

www.mot.gov.sg

 

[Sprucegoose]

airlines have a duty of care but some (shock!) personal responsibility is required and some, beyond me as to why, just have to undo seatbelts as soon as possible

I agree—it would be interesting if the airline were found negligent, and in cases where the passenger has decided not to follow the pilot's directions, the airline could reduce its liability. Potentially messy and down to individual cases of evidence, problems arise where injuries restrict accurate recollections.

All airlines have a risk where their safety messaging is unclear or inconsistent, allowing behaviour like frolicking on the floor. (QF do advise not to sleep on the floor with good reason).

Corporates and individuals often (and only) change behaviours when faced with legal actions with punitive outcomes.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

They need to urgently align their messaging as well. They need to make it crystal clear that when seated, it is a company requirement that you have your seat belt 'firmly' fastened—as another airline does. The safety video only 'recommends' being belted when seated, which contradicts the safety card.

A BNE law firm is considering a class action against SQ. The same firm is investigating the recent 'LATAM' incident to determine whether a case exists for affected pax.

Yes, I think i raised this as an issue early on in one of the threads. Safety videos and announcements need to change from ‘we suggest’ to ‘we require’ (you to keep your seatbelt fastened while seated).

It doesn’t even need to be firmly fastened, loose is fine!

I can’t recall an airline that doesn’t prohibit sleeping or sitting on the floor. There’s a danger from legs or arms creeping out into the aisle, pax aren’t restrained by seatbelts, but also, and importantly, oxygen masks won’t reach down that far.

 

[MooTime]

Interestingly, you see planes as akin to daycare centres and (willingly or otherwise?) ignore the risks of being unrestrained. Most of us also understand the challenges of keeping kids occupied during flights.

We'd never sit on the floor longer say a minute and when seat belt sign went on or even if we felt a little turbulence we'd return to our seats and buckle up right away.
Even when seated we have the seat belts on 95% of the time.

Also re the man who had a heart attack. Surely that was result of the sudden movement of the plane. We're not led to believe it was coincidence?
So could we say the turbulence caused the man's heart attack.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Pretty well all passengers have seen the occasional bit of chop. Nothing of any real consequence, and you could probably walk down the aisle if you had to. But, they then think that that, or perhaps something slightly worse, is actually turbulence. This forum has lots of regular flyers, but I'd reckon the chances are, that across the entire forum, only a tiny percentage have ever seen real turbulence.

The upshot of this though, is that people think that they can hold themselves in the seat (or in position on the floor). Good luck with that.

Unfortunately I think I’m in the category that has seen it.

However it wasn’t CAT, it was convective.

Details are in a TR somewhere but was MEL-BNE sector on a 738 with a classic early evening Brisbane storm.

Crew specifically said they were ending service early and the seat belt sign would be on earlier than usual.

I was in about row 24 having taken the flow-forward option.

As the crew were doing a final collection of rubbish etc the captain announced “Passengers and crew seats immediately.”

There was no mistaking the emphasis on “immediately”.

The CSM made it to the crew seat at the front.

One crew member sat in a vacant seat in about row 12.

But with no other seats in the cabin, the other two headed for the rear galley.

One made it, the other didn’t.

She was flung into the air beside me but did not hit the ceiling.

Somehow she’d kept a grip on one armrest.

Even so when the G’s disappeared she hit the floor hard.

She had no serious injuries, but with moderate chop continuing she remained on the floor for about one minute.

I’m not sure if she was composing herself or decided sitting in the aisle holding armrests tightly was a better option.

Some loose items were thrown about, but nothing like the SQ incident, and all the carts had already been stowed.

Not fun.