Singapore Airlines Incident, Here's How to Stay Safe During Turbulence on a Plane

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Singapore Airlines incident which experienced severe turbulence reminds us of the importance of maintaining security and safety during flights. Including what to do when turbulence occurs. 

Singapore Airlines with flight number SQ321 departed from London Heathrow Airport, England, on Monday, May 20, 2024. The plane was supposed to land in Singapore, but the pilot requested an emergency landing after experiencing severe turbulence and diverted to Thailand on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 early morning time. local. 

Due to severe turbulence, Singapore Airlines SQ321 passengers, most of whom came from Australia, England and Singapore, were injured and one person reportedly died. According to a Singapore Airlines statement, the 777-300ER aircraft was carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew members. 

Causes of turbulence

There are several types of turbulence, and their causes vary:

-Mountain wave turbulence occurs when the wind hits a mountain and is pushed upwards, leaving its path scorching.

-Next is convective turbulence which is generally associated with storms and is caused by rising warm air.

-There is also clear air turbulence which can be caused by a number of factors and is generally more difficult to predict than the other two types of turbulence. However, this turbulence is also the type of turbulence most likely to affect aircraft. Because it is more difficult to predict, this turbulence is also more difficult to avoid.

According to a professor of atmospheric science at the University of Reading, Paul Williams, climate change is making turbulence more frequent and intense. “The atmosphere is becoming increasingly volatile; there will be more severe turbulence in the atmosphere," he said. 

Thomas Guinn, chair of applied aviation science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, also expressed the same thing. The two experts said that severe turbulence was actually becoming more severe than light turbulence.

How to stay safe during turbulence

Although airplanes are designed to withstand harsh conditions including turbulence, when turbulence occurs it can throw passengers and crew, potentially causing serious injury. For this reason, experts remind passengers to remain seated and wear seat belts during the flight. “If you stay strapped in, you're less likely to get injured,” says Thomas Guinn.

Meanwhile, during severe turbulence, the vertical movement of the aircraft will exceed the gravitational pull. Even though it is very rare, deaths caused by turbulence can occur. “This means that if you are not wearing a seat belt, by definition, you will become a projectile. You are the catapult. You will get out of your seat,” said Paul Williams.

Also, avoid sitting at the back of the plane. “Turbulence will be much more extreme on the backside – including side-to-side shaking and impacts,” said AB Aviation Group CEO David Rimmer. 

TRAVEL+LEISURE | USA TODAY

Editor’s Choice: Jokowi Offers Elon Musk to Build EV Battery Plant in Indonesia

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News