Singapore flight investigation finds sharp altitude drop caused injuries

A 73-year-old passenger died of a suspected heart attack after the plane encountered what the airline described as sudden, extreme turbulence

Ambulances wait to carry passengers from a London-Singapore flight that encountered severe turbulence, in Bangkok, Thailand, earlier this month. Picture: AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit

Preliminary findings released on Wednesday of an investigation into a Singapore Airlines flight hit by severe turbulence last week showed that a rapid change in gravitational force and a 54-metre altitude drop caused injuries.

A 73-year-old passenger died of a suspected heart attack and dozens were injured after flight SQ321, flying from London to Singapore, encountered what the airline described as sudden, extreme turbulence while flying over Myanmar.