Why terrifying turbulence left 1 dead & 30 injured on Singapore plane which plunged 7000ft - expert

A Brit granddad died after severe turbulence battered a flight from London as passengers were tucking into breakfast.

Geoff Kitchen, 73, died of a heart attack after the Singapore Airlines Boeing flight plunged 7,000ft in just six minutes sparking mid-air panic.

Flight SQ321 took off from London Heathrow shortly after 10pm on Monday with 211 passengers and 18 crew on board - including 47 Brits.

Nearly 11 hours into the 13-hour journey to Singapore, the packed jet was smashed by sudden "severe turbulence" while passengers were eating breakfast, officials said.

Geoff, from Thornbury, Gloucestershire, had just begun a six week trip to Singapore, Indonesia, Japan and Australia, with wife Linda when tragedy struck.

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[franscrouse]

I think how well the Thai Authorities handled this Emergency once that plane has landed is commendable.

[Oceaneyes-ehvs]

My son lives in Thailand and he told me that hospitals there are very well organized and professional. That's seen here with their medical staff.

[cymbgeq]

Looks like the medical team in Thailand is very professional.

[Eric-jouh]

Moral of the story, ALWAYS keep your belt fastened when seated…like travelling in a car.

[kiki_sg]

Thank you to the pilot who managed for the safety emergency landing.he saves lives of 200+ people.🙏

[CrossbredmiMiyang]

I was supposed to be onboard on this flight SQ321 back to Singapore but rescheduled to 22nd (same flight SQ321 ) instead because I’ve met an old friend and decided to extend for another day so that we could meet up for dinner, otherwise I could be one of the injured person. My condolences to the family of the deceased and at this difficult moment my thoughts are with them wholeheartedly & wishes those onboard who are injured a speedy recovery.

[thurston]

I remember on one flight i had to warn a mum about turbulence for allowing her toddler to wander along the aisle. Some ppl think that seat belt is a nuisance

[bamb]

Thank God the pilots manage to control the boeing and save hundreds of lives. Sad for the elderly that passed may he rest in peace

[sameerazenib]

Been in turbulence many times. And once or twice in some very turbulent one where the plane suddenly dipped. It is scary stuff but you do as the signs and beeps say and fasten your seat belt. You ride it through because you have full faith in the pilots that are flying the aircraft to see it through. Its just unfortunate that a senior citizen died due to whatever reasons caused his passing during that moment....
May he rest in Peace

[ebdhudnav]

Dont blame the airline or the manufacturer. There's thousands of documented instances where turbulence occurs in the middle of nowhere, over clear skies. The pilots couldn't have prevented this

[shtvfmz]

Salute to the pilots, they still managed to control the plane and landed it safely, if not you could not have imagined what will happened! God bless us all

[kevinf-b]

The elderly Englishman allegedly died from a heart attack, not injuries sustained from the turbulence

[theresahertwig]

ALWAYS KEEP YOUR BELT ON WHEN SEATED!!!!

[janpetersen]

Hopefully it can teach airline passengers to keep their seatbelts on throughout the trip. An air hole can appear very suddenly. Have experienced it myself, very unpleasant.

[RandomVideosFirst]

Could you imagine if it happened in the toilet while taking a number two or in meal service ...

[steveforster]

They also say keep belts on even when cruising due to this stuff..just do as told

[janeingram]

I was on a flight with similar circumstances. On a 747 flying from Milan to PHL, our plane nose dived causing all the items in the overhead storage come falling out, the life raft fell out of the ceiling. After the pilot straightened the plane he came on the intercom and said it was not noted on the navigation system. Just then the plan did another nose. No one was injured but I did break my eyeglass that were hanging over the pocket and my foot must have hit it. The plane was a mess, but we continued across the ocean. A second flight was during a tornado in Pittsburgh. When we took off from PHL within 10 minutes the pilot announced to the crew to prepare for landing. That plane did maneuvers you would not believe an aircraft can do. The wings flapped like a bird. The tornado actually demolished a city near Pittsburgh.

[ciarankelly]

I think we should wait to hear from pilots! SIA are a great airline and condolences to family of man who died . Also our thoughts for the cabin crew and appreciation to pilots who were most professional and made immediate landing. Thank you to Thailand aswell and their emergency response teams!

[raspberrypiploy]

As ex crew of 22 years Long Haul the hardest part of the Job was getting people to comply with instructions, seatbelts being the hardest. Certain nationalities hated any sort of authority. Once the seat belt signs were illuminated many would then need the toilets. Likewise as soon as the aircraft started taxiing to the gate many would stand up and start unloading hand luggage. Having experienced clear air turbulence and hitting the ceiling in the galley on a 747 my only regret was not having photos of the damage caused to the ceiling and to my head to show passengers why we insist on seatbelts. I was off work for 5 months and had 32 stitches. Well done as well to the crew and all the ground crews in Bangkok, such a good example on how things should be handled. Also the commentator David Lamont tells us nothing apart from the obvious just listen to him, it really is a case of 'no sh** Sherlock'

[unvaccinatedAndPureBlood]

When they say keep your seatbelt on they mean it.😢