The Singapore Airlines flight hit with deadly turbulence last week traveling to Singapore from London plunged 178 feet in just 4.6 seconds, preliminary findings released Wednesday revealed.
The Transport Safety Investigation Bureau of Singapore said the rapid altitude drop and changes to gravitational forces likely caused the injuries on the May 21 Boeing 777 flight, which included the death of a 73-year-old British man.
“The rapid changes in G [gravitational force] over the 4.6 sec duration resulted in an altitude drop of 178 ft, from 37,362 ft to 37,184 ft. This sequence of events likely caused the injuries to the crew and passengers,” the report said.
The quick changes in gravitational force “likely resulted in the occupants who were not belted up to become airborne.” While the second shift likely caused them to come crashing back down, the report noted.
Pilots quickly attempted to take control of the aircraft, according to the report, made from information gathered from information in the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder.
“After the pilots were informed by the cabin crew that there were injured passengers in the cabin, the decision was made to divert to Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok, Thailand,” the report says.
At least 30 of the 211 passengers and 18 crew members were hurt in the sudden and sharp drop.
Pilots then requested medical services to meet the aircraft upon its arrival in Bangkok.
The plane landed 17 minutes after the turbulence event. Data shows the aircraft did not encounter any additional turbulence during its descent.
Investigation into the incident is ongoing.