Turbulence Tragedy: One Year On, Singapore Airlines Passengers Still Grapple with Trauma

One year after a catastrophic turbulence incident forced Singapore Airlines Flight SQ321 to make an emergency landing in Bangkok, the physical and emotional scars of passengers remain raw. The flight, en route from London to Singapore on May 21, 2024, encountered sudden and extreme turbulence, causing a rapid 178-foot drop in just 4.6 seconds. The result was devastating: one passenger died of a suspected heart attack, dozens were injured—some severely—and lives were irrevocably altered. As investigations continue and legal battles loom, survivors are still navigating the aftermath of a journey that turned into a nightmare.

A Harrowing Descent

The incident unfolded at 37,000 feet over the Bay of Bengal, when Flight SQ321, a Boeing 777-300ER carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew members, hit an area of convective activity often linked to thunderstorms. According to preliminary findings from Singapore’s Transport Safety Investigation Bureau (TSIB), the aircraft vibrated intensely for 19 seconds before a sudden drop in altitude. Passengers and crew who were not buckled in were flung into the air, crashing against overhead compartments and aisles. The chaos left a trail of injuries, ranging from concussions to life-altering spinal damage.

Among the most affected is Ms. Saw Rong, a Malaysian woman in her 30s who was two months pregnant at the time. She fractured her back during the incident and underwent spinal surgery in Bangkok, where she was hospitalized for nearly a month. Now, a year later and six months after giving birth to her second child, she remains unable to carry her baby girl. Her sister-in-law, Eva Khoo, shared with local media that Ms. Saw and her husband, Mr. Ian Khoo, who also sustained head injuries and vision impairment, are “scared and traumatized” by the ordeal. The couple has not boarded a plane since returning home to Malaysia from Bangkok in 2024.

Another passenger, Ms. Kerry Jordan, a 53-year-old Australian, suffered a spinal injury that left her quadriplegic. Discharged from hospital in April 2025, she now requires 24/7 assistance and faces the daunting reality of rebuilding her life. “My injury is so severe that I require assistance just to be able to get out of bed and face the day confined to my wheelchair” she told reporters. Her home in Adelaide, a two-story structure, cannot accommodate her needs, with renovation costs estimated at A$2 million (US$1.33 million as of May 24, 2025). While Singapore Airlines provided her with US$170,000 under the Montreal Convention, she emphasized that this falls far short of covering her long-term needs.

Compensation and Legal Challenges

In the wake of the incident, Singapore Airlines offered compensation to affected passengers in June 2024. Those with minor injuries were offered US$10,000 (S$13,000), while passengers with more serious injuries received an advance payment of US$25,000 to address immediate needs, with final amounts still under negotiation. The airline stressed that these payments do not constitute an admission of liability. “While some passengers have accepted these offers, we continue to engage with the others directly or via their appointed representatives” a spokesperson for the airline stated.

Under the 1999 Montreal Convention, to which Singapore is a signatory, passengers can claim up to approximately US$170,000 for death or bodily injuries in international aviation accidents, regardless of fault. For claims exceeding this threshold, airlines may avoid liability if they can prove the damage was not due to negligence or was caused solely by a third party. This provision has sparked intense legal scrutiny, with multiple law firms representing passengers from various jurisdictions, including Australia, Britain, and New Zealand.

London-based lawyer James Healy-Pratt, representing 10 passengers with injuries ranging from paralysis to psychiatric trauma, highlighted the complexity of the claims. Similarly, Stewarts, another London-based firm, noted that many passengers sustained life-changing injuries, with claims expected to surpass the Montreal Convention’s initial limit. “This is where the real combat between the parties will lie” the firm stated in a release on May 17, 2025. Aviation lawyer Floyd Wisner, based in Chicago, also raised questions about whether the turbulence could have been avoided, pointing out that other carriers, such as Swiss International Air Lines, made significant course deviations to navigate around severe weather in the same vicinity on that day.

Questions of Safety and Preparedness

The incident has reignited debates over aviation safety and the adequacy of turbulence warnings. The TSIB’s preliminary report revealed that pilots activated the “fasten seat belt” sign just eight seconds before the aircraft experienced the sudden drop. For many passengers, this brief window was insufficient. Ms. Amelia Lim, a 44-year-old Malaysian public relations executive, recounted her struggle to buckle up in time. “I felt my seat drop and I flew off my seat” she recalled. “The next thing I knew, I was on the floor.” A year on, she still suffers from frequent headaches and requires physiotherapy, and although she continues to travel for work, she experiences anxiety and panic attacks during flights.

Experts and legal representatives have questioned whether more could have been done to mitigate the risk. Mr. Peter Carter, a Brisbane-based aviation lawyer representing 11 passengers, is also investigating claims for those with no physical injuries but significant post-traumatic stress disorder. Under the Montreal Convention, damages for mental injuries are typically not claimable unless tied to physical harm, adding another layer of complexity to the cases.

Singapore Airlines has expressed deep regret for the incident. “SIA deeply apologizes to all passengers and crew members for the traumatic experience on board Flight SQ321” the airline stated on May 20, 2025. It affirmed its commitment to cooperating with authorities and supporting affected passengers. Meanwhile, the TSIB’s final report is still pending, with past turbulence-related investigations taking between 8.5 months and 2.5 years to conclude.

Broader Implications for Air Travel

The SQ321 incident underscores the unpredictable nature of air turbulence, a phenomenon often linked to convective activity near thunderstorms. While modern aircraft are equipped with weather radar, and pilots are trained to avoid hazardous conditions, the rapid onset of turbulence can sometimes outpace even the best precautions. As climate change intensifies weather patterns, some studies suggest that clear-air turbulence—difficult to detect and often unassociated with visible storms—may become more frequent, posing new challenges for aviation safety.

For passengers like Ms. Saw, Mr. Khoo, Ms. Jordan, and Ms. Lim, the incident has forever altered their relationship with air travel. Ms. Lim now meticulously checks weather forecasts before flying, while others have sworn off planes entirely. The emotional toll, coupled with physical recovery, paints a sobering picture of the hidden risks of a routine journey.

Beyond individual stories, the incident raises systemic questions. Could better forecasting or quicker pilot responses prevent such tragedies? Should airlines enhance passenger education on the importance of remaining buckled during flights? And how will legal frameworks like the Montreal Convention adapt to the needs of those whose lives are upended by such events?

A Long Road to Recovery

As the first anniversary of the SQ321 turbulence incident passes, the focus remains on the survivors, many of whom face uncertain futures. For Ms. Jordan, confined to a wheelchair and grappling with inadequate compensation, the fight for justice is just beginning. For Ms. Saw and Mr. Khoo, the trauma lingers in their inability to embrace everyday joys, like holding a newborn child. And for countless others, the memory of those harrowing 4.6 seconds continues to haunt their travels.

The aviation industry, too, stands at a crossroads. As investigations into Flight SQ321 unfold, the findings could shape policies on turbulence detection, passenger safety protocols, and compensation mechanisms. For now, though, the passengers of that ill-fated flight are left to piece together their lives, one day at a time, hoping for answers and healing in the turbulent aftermath.