Turbulence-hit Singapore Airlines flight dropped 6,000 feet in just 3 minutes

NEW DELHI: The passengers on Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 experienced a terrifying ordeal when the flight suddenly descended 6,000 feet in just three minutes.

The aircraft on Tuesday encountered severe turbulence during its journey from London.

The data from FlightRadar24, analysed by The Associated Press, reveals the harrowing details of the flight's sudden descent. The Boeing 777-300ER, which had been cruising at an altitude of 37,000 feet (11,300 meters), abruptly plunged to 31,000 feet (9,400 meters) within a span of just three minutes. The aircraft maintained this lower altitude for less than 10 minutes before proceeding to make the emergency landing in Bangkok, which took place less than half an hour later.

The incident, which occurred while the cabin crew was serving breakfast, resulted in the tragic death of one passenger and injuries to 30 others. In response to the emergency, the pilots made the decision to divert the flight and make an emergency landing in Bangkok.

The dramatic drop in altitude occurred as the flight was passing over the Andaman Sea, in close proximity to Myanmar. At the time of the incident, the aircraft transmitted a "squawk code" of 7700, which is recognized internationally as an emergency signal.

The sudden turbulence and subsequent emergency landing left passengers and crew members shaken, as they grappled with the aftermath of the tragic event.