Passengers Recount Terror as Plane Drops Suddenly Mid-Flight
A British Airways flight from Singapore to Heathrow faced intense turbulence over the Bay of Bengal, causing panic among passengers and injuries to crew members. Jade Crosland, 31, travelling with her partner and two children, described the experience as a “freefall,” saying, “I thought we were going to die.”
The Incident
The turbulence occurred at 30,000 feet when the plane encountered undetectable cold air pockets, which caused sudden, severe drops. Ms Crosland recounted the chaos onboard, with food trays flying across the cabin and passengers gripped by fear.
Cabin crew members sustained injuries, including one crew member knocked unconscious by a trolley and others requiring medical attention. One crew member underwent surgery for injuries to their ankle and femur.
The Boeing 777-300ER returned to Singapore at 3 a.m. for a structural inspection, and passengers were provided hotel accommodations and rebooked on later flights.
Passenger Reactions
Ms Crosland praised the cabin crew for their professionalism during the ordeal despite their own injuries. Remarkably, her two children remained asleep throughout the turbulence. “The cabin crew were frantic, but they did their best to support everyone,” she said.
The turbulence lasted approximately 20 minutes but left passengers shaken. A crew member told Ms Crosland that such extreme turbulence had occurred only twice in his 25-year career.
British Airways’ Response
British Airways stated that safety is their top priority and commended the crew for handling the situation. A spokesperson noted: “Our highly trained team on board reassured customers, and the aircraft returned to Singapore as a precaution.”
Ms Crosland, a frequent flyer, boarded the next available flight to the UK despite the traumatic experience.
A Rare Phenomenon
Severe turbulence of this magnitude, caused by undetectable cold air pockets, is exceptionally rare. Aviation experts stress that modern aircraft are designed to withstand such events, but the incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of air travel.
