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

[Sprucegoose]

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.

We understand he died on SQ321, and while it was reported in the press as a heart attack, I would wait until a death certificate is produced. If the Police have doubts over the cause of death, they may request an autopsy report, which can take up to three months. I am sure his next of kin could request one as well.

It would be speculative to say at this time, turbulence caused the man's (reported) heart attack. A few parties will be interested in the formal findings of his passing.

 

[drron]

Seeing the heart attack diagnosis was quickly reported it may well be that he had a history of heart disease. An investigative journalist might have sked that question but sadly hardly any of those around any more.

 

[MooTime]

We understand he died on SQ321, and while it was reported in the press as a heart attack, I would wait until a death certificate is produced. If the Police have doubts over the cause of death, they may request an autopsy report, which can take up to three months. I am sure his next of kin could request one as well.

It would be speculative to say at this time, turbulence caused the man's (reported) heart attack. A few parties will be interested in the formal findings of his passing.

Good points.

I'm not fussed or suspicions or anything.
I just find it odd that he died from heart attack at same time of the turbulence, but the article implies from how I read it that turbulence had nothing to do with it, simply a heart attack got him.

Was this man thrown from his seat or maybe violently moved from the turbulence.
I just find this part of the story a little strange. Didn't quite make sense to me.

Ok yes maybe wait for more details on him if they emerge.

 

[jb747]

Now we get some actual information.

At 07:49:40 UTC, the aircraft experienced a rapid change in gravitational forces, dropping from +1.35G to -1.5G in 0.6 seconds. Investigators report that this sudden shift in gravitational force likely sent unbelted passengers airborne. Immediately after, the gravitational force shifted from -1.5G to +1.5G within four seconds, which caused passengers to fall back down. This fall is the most likely cause of the severe injuries to crew and passengers. The aircraft’s altitude decreased by 178 feet, from 37,362 feet to 37,184 feet.

Pilots responded to these rapid changes by disengaging the autopilot and manually stabilizing the aircraft for 21 seconds, before re-engaging the autopilot at 07:50:05 UTC. The aircraft showed more gradual fluctuations in gravitational force over the next 24 seconds, ranging from +0.9G to +1.1G, and returned to 37,000 feet by 07:50:23 UTC.

So, pretty much exactly as predicted. A bit more negative than I guessed, bit less positive. The altitude change is largely irrelevant.

 

[RooFlyer]

@jb747 , what do you think the pilots might’ve been thinking once the turbulence had stabilised? Do you think they would’ve realised that it was likely to be mayhem with possible serious injuries back in the cabin, or perhaps their sensitivity to it was diminished because they would’ve felt a range of turbulence before and obviously were firmly strapped in?

 

[JohnM]

And - no surprise - no mention of ‘plummeting two kilometres’ or ‘plunging 6000 feet’.

 

[OZDUCK]

We flew home on Scoot last night. The captain made an announcement that everyone must of heard of the the SQ 321 incident and as such if the Seat Belt light came on crew would stop service and resume their seats. He also gave the usual reminder for pax to keep their seatbelts fastened at all times when seated. That being said the use of the light was very sensible. We had a couple of little bumps but they were minor and short-lived so the light was not switched on. It was only illuminated when we were descending into Perth and the cabin was being prepared for landing.

 

[AIRwin]

He also gave the usual reminder for pax to keep their seatbelts fastened at all times when seated.

Any observations on compliance level?

 

[Peasant]

Pilots responded to these rapid changes by disengaging the autopilot and manually stabilizing the aircraft for 21 seconds, before re-engaging the autopilot at 07:50:05 UTC. The aircraft showed more gradual fluctuations in gravitational force over the next 24 seconds, ranging from +0.9G to +1.1G, and returned to 37,000 feet by 07:50:23 UTC.

I also read somewhere that the pilots deployed the speed brakes as this unfolded, so I'm curious to know how this may have affected the cabin situation.

Given the {limited) preliminary information available, can you make an assessment of the pilots' response @jb747?

 

[OZDUCK]

Any observations on compliance level?

It was a bit hard to see in Scootplus with the lights off for most of the time. However most seemed to be good except for a couple with a 4 or 5 year old who seemed to spend a bit of time out of their seats.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Pilots responded to these rapid changes by disengaging the autopilot and manually stabilising the aircraft for 21 seconds, before re-engaging the autopilot

Technical question - is it necessary to manually stabilise the aircraft? Would it not be the autopilot's function to do this? If the pilots were otherwise non-responsive would the autopilot bring the aircraft back on course?

thanks.

 

[RooFlyer]

SQ228 just waiting for departure. Light to moderate turbulence expected but the captain still only recommended having your seatbelt fastened when seated. I guess old habits are hard to shake.

 

[fly2earth]

Now we get some actual information.

At 07:49:40 UTC, the aircraft experienced a rapid change in gravitational forces, dropping from +1.35G to -1.5G in 0.6 seconds. Investigators report that this sudden shift in gravitational force likely sent unbelted passengers airborne. Immediately after, the gravitational force shifted from -1.5G to +1.5G within four seconds, which caused passengers to fall back down. This fall is the most likely cause of the severe injuries to crew and passengers. The aircraft’s altitude decreased by 178 feet, from 37,362 feet to 37,184 feet.

Pilots responded to these rapid changes by disengaging the autopilot and manually stabilizing the aircraft for 21 seconds, before re-engaging the autopilot at 07:50:05 UTC. The aircraft showed more gradual fluctuations in gravitational force over the next 24 seconds, ranging from +0.9G to +1.1G, and returned to 37,000 feet by 07:50:23 UTC.

So, pretty much exactly as predicted. A bit more negative than I guessed, bit less positive. The altitude change is largely irrelevant.

So basically they flew in the air for 4-4.6 seconds. Not my idea of fun

 

[rbjhan]

SQ228 just waiting for departure. Light to moderate turbulence expected but the captain still only recommended having your seatbelt fastened when seated. I guess old habits are hard to shake.

Hope you have better luck than me.
My HND-SIN flight on Tuesday was not a fun experience, at all.
Dinner service was suspended 3 times and the whole thing took FIVE hours to finish.

 

[RooFlyer]

SQ228 just waiting for departure. Light to moderate turbulence expected but the captain still only recommended having your seatbelt fastened when seated. I guess old habits are hard to shake.

aaaaaand ... we are into ascent, enveloped in clouds, seat belt sign still on so the lady next to me gets up to go to the loo .

Turned around and told to sit down, please.

 

[fly2earth]

aaaaaand ... we are into ascent, enveloped in clouds, seat belt sign still on so the lady next to me gets up to go to the loo .

Turned around and told to sit down, please.

Time to do the swtich-a-LOO! (Plot twist: she a flight attendant in disguise)

 

[jb747]

jb747 , what do you think the pilots might’ve been thinking once the turbulence had stabilised?

I doubt that it's printable here.

Do you think they would’ve realised that it was likely to be mayhem with possible serious injuries back in the cabin, or perhaps their sensitivity to it was diminished because they would’ve felt a range of turbulence before and obviously were firmly strapped in?

Oh, they would have realised. And don't take it for granted as to how well they were strapped in. I'd say that 99.9% of pilots fly with just the lap belt done up (in the cruise). I know of nobody other than me who flew with the full 5 points done up all of the time.

I also read somewhere that the pilots deployed the speed brakes as this unfolded, so I'm curious to know how this may have affected the cabin situation.

It wouldn't have, as long as they used them reasonably smoothly. They shouldn't have needed to fully extended them...just enough to stop any overspeed. But, you need to be careful, as they'll actually cause the aircraft to pitch up initially.

Given the {limited) preliminary information available, can you make an assessment of the pilots' response?

Well, I guess they turned the radar on. There's still much more to find out.

Technical question - is it necessary to manually stabilise the aircraft? Would it not be the autopilot's function to do this? If the pilots were otherwise non-responsive would the autopilot bring the aircraft back on course?

I was surprised that they disconnected the autopilot too. Long ago, autopilots weren't all that good at handling turbulence. The 747-200 even had a turbulence setting, which stopped it chasing altitude. That's long gone. Given how hard it could be to actually fly manually in such conditions, an intentional disconnect of the autopilot wouldn't be at the top of my to do list. About number 999.

aaaaaand ... we are into ascent, enveloped in clouds, seat belt sign still on so the lady next to me gets up to go to the loo .

Turned around and told to sit down, please.

Please is a request. Orders shouldn't be polite.

 

[drron]

aaaaaand ... we are into ascent, enveloped in clouds, seat belt sign still on so the lady next to me gets up to go to the loo .

Turned around and told to sit down, please.

It always amazes me how often some people have to go to the loo immeditely they are in the air. The toilets at most irports are better than those on the plane. We always go before we board.

 

[tgh]

In the front end of the tube, folks likely have copiously hydrated in the lounge.
Manual dehydration takes time and the urge may be unpredictable due to the somnolence of alcohol.
Stone cold sober and Medical certificate in hand, I would be happy to pee on jb's toes if ordered to remain seated or else…..

 

[flyer89]

in. I'd say that 99.9% of pilots fly with just the lap belt done up (in the cruise). I know of nobody other than me who flew with the full 5 points done up all of the time.

Nerd.

But yes, haven’t witnessed it to date.