A Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-300ER operating the route from London Heathrow to Singapore Changi International airport encountered severe turbulences leading to the death of one passenger along with 30 injuries, before being re-routed in emergency to Bangkok.
The flight SQ321 departed London Heathrow actually on monday evening at 5:38 pm EDT with 211 passengers and 18 crews on board for a scheduled flight whose duration normally takes 12 to 13 hours, depending on the wind. A review of the flight track logs indicate that the trip was uneventful up until after having cruised for about 10 hours and a half. At about 4:06 am EDT, the Boeing 777-300ER which was cruising at 37,000 feet at a speed of 505 knots (581 mph) encountered severe turbulences that compelled the aircraft to drop to 31,000 feet in less than four minutes. Thereafter, the aircraft remained stable at 31,000 feet for a little bit less than 10 minutes before beginning to initiate its descent, we believe into Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport as an emergency alternate destination. It landed there at 4:45 am EDT.
Following the emergency arrival in Bangkok; the airline and first responders announced that one passenger had indeed passed away after being injured during the severe turbulences. Another 30 people had to be evacuated to several hospitals for various treatments. Thailand Transport Minister and the airline both issued statements offering condolences to the family of the person deceased.
Various passengers testimonies reported by Reuters indicated that the very severe turbulences experienced by the aircraft were folowed by so sudden a drop in altitude, that it actually sent people flying into the aircraft cabin ceiling.