KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Singapore Airlines said Tuesday it has offered compensation to passengers on a flight that experienced extreme turbulence last month, in a rare case that killed one passenger and injured dozens.
The Being 777 jet, carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew from London to Singapore, entered sudden turbulence over the Irrawaddy basin on May 20, throwing people and items across the cabin. The plane was diverted to Thailand.
A 73-year-old British man died of a suspected heart attack and dozens were hospitalized, including those with damage to their spine, brain and bones or organs. Nineteen people remained hospitalized in Bangkok.
Authorities said the turbulence occurred as meals were being served and many people were not wearing seat belts. Passengers described the “sheer terror” of the aircraft shaking, loose items flying and injured people lying paralyzed on the floor of the plane.
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Singapore Airlines said it offered $10,000 in compensation to passengers with minor injuries.
“For those who have suffered more serious injuries as a result of the incident, we invite you to discuss an offer of compensation to meet each of your specific circumstances, when you feel well and ready to do so,” it said in a statement. declaration.
Those who have been medically assessed as having suffered serious injuries, needing long-term medical care and requesting financial assistance will receive an upfront payment of $25,000 for their immediate needs, he said. “This will be part of the final compensation these passengers will receive,” she said.
The airline said it will also provide full airfare refunds to all passengers on the flight, including those who were not injured. All passengers will also receive delay compensation in accordance with European Union or United Kingdom regulations, it said.
The airline added that it has already given all passengers 1,000 Singapore dollars ($739) each for their immediate needs, covered medical expenses for injured passengers and arranged for their families and loved ones to fly to Bangkok when requested.
A preliminary investigation by Singapore’s Ministry of Transport said the plane experienced huge swings in G-force in less than five seconds, likely causing injuries to people who were not buckled in their seats. He said the jet fell 178 feet (54 meters) in less than a second, which “probably caused occupants who were not wearing seat belts to become airborne” before crashing again.
It was unclear what caused the turbulence. Most people associate turbulence with strong thunderstorms, but the most dangerous type is called clear air turbulence. This turbulence can occur in thin cirrus clouds or even in clear air near thunderstorms, as differences in temperature and pressure create powerful, fast-moving air currents.
According to a 2021 report from the US National Transportation Safety Board, turbulence was responsible for 37.6% of all accidents on major commercial airlines between 2009 and 2018. The Federal Aviation Administration said there were 146 injuries serious injuries caused by the turmoil from 2009 to 2021.
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