One passenger tragically passed away from a suspected heart attack, and 30 others were injured after a Singapore Airlines flight from London to Singapore encountered severe turbulence on Tuesday. This alarming event forced the Boeing 777-300ER jet to divert to Bangkok, according to authorities.
Understanding Turbulence
Turbulence, defined as irregular air movement, can be caused by various factors, most commonly unstable weather patterns that trigger storms. As outlined by Airbus, these disturbances can be detected by weather radar due to the presence of water particles.
Singapore Airlines has not yet detailed the specific type of turbulence involved in this incident. However, tracking service FlightRadar24 reported that severe storms were present in the area at the time.
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What is Clear Air Turbulence (CAT)?
Clear Air Turbulence (CAT) is a sudden, severe air disturbance that causes violent buffeting of an aircraft even when no clouds are visible. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), these invisible air pockets can appear without warning and are difficult to predict. Mark Prosser of the University of Reading suggested that Tuesday’s event likely involved convective or storm-related turbulence but emphasized that it is too early to confirm.
An investigation is underway, with experts noting that aircraft accidents typically involve a combination of factors.
Frequency of Turbulence Incidents
Turbulence-related incidents are fairly common. A 2021 study by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed that from 2009 through 2018, turbulence accounted for more than one-third of reported events, with most resulting in serious injuries but no aircraft damage.
Fatal turbulence incidents are extremely rare. “It is a very unusual and rare event. As far as I can tell, it has been over 25 years since a passenger was killed by commercial airliner turbulence,” said Paul Hayes, director of safety at the UK-based aviation data group Cirium Ascend. The last fatal turbulence-related accident recorded by Cirium involved a United Airlines Boeing 747 in 1997.
How Pilots Manage Turbulence
Pilots plan ahead by studying turbulence and weather forecasts, which have improved significantly over the years. They may load extra fuel if necessary and monitor weather radar continuously during flights. However, violent CAT can leave little time to react.
“If it’s unexpected, then it’s a bit late. You hope to get warnings from other aircraft in the area and slow down to minimize the effects,” explained retired pilot Hugh Dibley, an expert on aircraft upsets at the Royal Aeronautical Society.
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Best Aircraft for Handling Turbulence
All modern commercial jets are designed to withstand forces far greater than those experienced in-flight. However, the sensation of turbulence varies depending on the aircraft type and seating position. According to Swedish turbulence-forecasting website Turbli, long planes tend to feel most turbulent at the back, with the ideal spot being around the center of gravity, typically just ahead of the wings.
Boeing’s 787-9, equipped with a “Gust Alleviation System” from Honeywell, ranks first for handling turbulence. Following closely is the Airbus A340-500/600, although this four-engined model is no longer widely used due to fuel costs. The Boeing 777 family, known for its strong safety record, does not feature the 787’s alleviation system but is still highly regarded for its turbulence management.
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Importance of Seatbelt Use
U.S. airline pilot and flight attendant unions have emphasized the importance of following crew instructions and wearing seatbelts whenever seated. However, they cautioned that leaving the seatbelt sign on constantly could reduce its effectiveness, leading passengers to ignore it. Crew members, who must ensure seatbelts are fastened during turbulent conditions, are among the most vulnerable to injury.
Advances in Turbulence Detection Technology
NASA is developing an early-warning system using ground-mounted infrasonic microphones to detect clear-air turbulence hundreds of miles away. Austria-based tech startup Turbulence Solutions is working on technologies to eliminate up to 80% of turbulence. However, industry experts warn that new aircraft systems must undergo years of rigorous testing before being validated, and airlines must typically agree to cover the costs for any upgrades.
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Impact of Climate Change on Turbulence
The recent increase in turbulence reports has sparked a debate over whether climate change might be contributing to more frequent and severe turbulence. A report from the University of Reading last year suggested that turbulence could worsen with climate change.
“Our latest future projections indicate a doubling or trebling of severe turbulence in the jet streams in the coming decades if the climate continues to change as we expect,” said Professor Paul Williams, one of the report’s authors. However, he noted that while there appears to be a strong correlation, more research is needed to definitively link climate change to the recent increases in turbulence. Increased media coverage, aided by in-flight video footage from passengers’ mobile phones, may also be contributing to the heightened awareness.
