‘It was avoidable’: Experts say thunderstorm to blame for Singapore death flight

Experts believe the incident, which led to the death of a man and dozens injured, could have been avoided.

A new “thunderstorm" theory has emerged in the bid to understand how an everyday flight from London to Singapore led to the death of a man and injuries to dozens of passengers.

Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 was forced to make an emergency landing in Bangkok on May 20 following an “altitude drop” which saw dozens of passengers flung around the cabin space.

Singapore Airlines has since blamed the incident on “extreme turbulence”, however, a team of experts, who are representing dozens of passengers in a legal class action for compensation, believe the plane flew through the top of a thunderstorm.

The team found the flight came in “close proximity” to a thunderstorm as it passed over an area notorious for thunderstorm activity in the Intertropical Convergence Zone.

British man, Geoff Kitchen, 73, died on the Singapore Airlines flight. Picture: Supplied

Peter Carter, director of Carter Capner who has launched the class action, said the theory would dispel the notion the incident was a “freak accident”.

“It was avoidable,” he told news.com.au.

“It’s the wrong conclusion to come to just on an interim basis. The working theory should really be that it was a storm unless proved otherwise and it’s created a heightened fear of about flying experience, which is misplaced.”

Ron Bartsch, who is the former head of safety at Qantas and chair of Avlaw aviation consulting, also said the idea of the incident being a “freak accident” was misplaced.

Mr Bartsch told news.com.au the fact the pilot in command put the seat belt sign on prior to the incident indicates there must have been something on the radar.

The flight was forced to make an emergency landing in Bangkok. Picture: AFP

“To me, it very much suggests that it was something that was visible on the radar. There must have been some indication that something was happening,” he said.

He said in normal circumstances, experienced pilots would either avoid the area all together or slow the plane down in order to avoid injuries within the cabin.

In a statement to news.com.au, Singapore Airlines said they were “unable” to comment on the views of “other lawyers”.

“Singapore Airlines is fully co-operating with the relevant authorities in the investigation into this incident,” the statement said.

Compensation for passengers

Almost 60 Australians were on-board the Boeing 777-300ER when the incident occurred, with the 211 passengers on the flight being offered thousands of dollars in compensation this week.

The airline announced it had offered US$10,000 in compensation (A$15,130) to those who suffered minor injuries during the “traumatic” event.

Those with serious injuries will receive $20,000.

Adelaide residents Keith Davis and Kerry Jordan were on holiday in the UK and returning home on Singapore Airlines flight SQ321. Jordan was paralysed by the incident. Picture: 9News

“Singapore Airlines (SIA) deeply apologises to all passengers for the traumatic experience on board flight SQ321 on 20 May 2024. We are committed to providing our full support and assistance during this time,” the airline said in a statement.

“For those who sustained more serious injuries … we have invited them to discuss a compensation offer to meet each of their specific circumstances when they feel well and ready to do so,” the statement continued.

The airline said it would also provide a full refund to all passengers on the flight, including those who were not injured.

“All passengers will also receive delay compensation in accordance with the relevant European Union or United Kingdom regulations,” it said.

“We provided all passengers with S$1,000 each to meet their immediate expenses upon departure from Bangkok.”

The airline said it has been covering the medical expenses of the injured passengers and had arranged for their family members to fly to Bangkok when it was requested.

“SIA remains committed to supporting the affected passengers who were on board SQ321,” the airline said.