The Singapore Airlines plane fell thousands of feet within seconds after hitting deadly turbulence

A plane that hit severe turbulence that left one person dead and more than 30 injured descended thousands of feet in seconds. Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 from London to Singapore was forced to make an emergency landing in Thailand following the incident.

The Boeing 777 aircraft left the UK on Monday evening at 22:17 local time. However, it had to make an emergency landing in Thailand after hitting severe turbulence. It was supposed to land at Singapore Changi Airport at 18.10 local time.

Footage showed ambulances waiting on the ground next to the plane. According to data from Flightradar24, the aircraft plunged more than 6,000 feet in less than three minutes.

The data showed the plane was cruising at 37,000 feet when, shortly after 8:00 GMT, it descended to 31,000 feet in about three minutes. Passenger Dzafran Azmir, 28, told Reuters: “Suddenly the aircraft starts to pitch up and it shook, so I started preparing for what was happening and very suddenly there was a very dramatic, so everyone seated and not wearing a seat belt was immediately launched into the ceiling.

“Some people bumped their heads into the overhead baggage cabins and hit it, hit where the lights and masks are and smashed right through them.”

The aircraft was carrying a total of 211 passengers and 18 crew members, the airline said in a statement. It read: “Singapore Airlines flight #SQ321, operating from London (Heathrow) to Singapore on 20 May 2024, encountered severe turbulence en route. The aircraft diverted to Bangkok and landed at 15:45 local time on 21 May 2024.

“We can confirm that there are injuries and one death on board the Boeing 777-300ER. Singapore Airlines offers its deepest condolences to the bereaved family. Our priority is to provide all possible assistance to all passengers and crew on board the aircraft. “