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19 March 2024

22 hurt as Mumbai-bound flight hits turbulence

Published
By Bindu Rai

Eight passengers and 14 crew members are reportedly injured after a Singapore Airlines flight to Mumbai hit ‘major’ turbulence on October 18.

Eyewitness accounts report passengers were thrown against the roof of the plane, with several people left bleeding and were required immediate hospitalisation upon landing.

Data on flight tracking website, Flghtradar24, show SQ424 was subjected to a descent rate of over 5,000 feet per minute.

In a media statement, the carrier confirmed the turbulence, stated: “Singapore Airlines flight SQ424 from Singapore to Mumbai experienced sudden turbulence during descent on 18 October.

“There were 408 passengers and 25 crew on board. Eight passengers and 14 crew sustained injuries and were attended to by medical personnel on arrival at Mumbai Airport.”

The carrier further added: “Our immediate concern is for the well-being of our passengers and crew. Singapore Airlines will provide full assistance to the authorities in their investigations.”

Passengers angered

In an open letter posted on Facebook to Singapore’s flagship carrier, passenger Harsh Nayyar demanded an investigation into the matter.

He stated: “I have posted an issue which we faced last night in with Flight SQ424… all passengers in the main deck, including cabin crew, were thrown in the air and their heads hit the top of aircraft.”

Nayyar went on to describe the harrowing events, adding that no explanation was forthcoming from the pilot or the cabin crew members at the time.

He continued: “Can we please get an official investigation report to clarify whether autopilot was turned off accidentally or what went wrong that the plane was required to perform such manoeuvre?

“I would like this incident to be investigated and a report to be provided to all passengers and cabin crew on board via email or by post. This is unacceptable behaviour.”

In response, Singapore Airlines has informed the passenger that investigations are underway.

However, two days following the incident and Nayyar posted: “34 hours have been passed and I am yet to receive an understanding as to why this happened. This was a life threatening incident for 400+ passengers and all cabin crew members on board.”

The incident reportedly occurred at 10.15pm. The flight was scheduled to land at 9.55pm.

The aircraft was an A380-800 9V-SKJ.