Singapore Airlines Compensates Passengers After Turbulence Tragedy

[webfact]

 

Singapore Airlines has announced compensation for passengers following a devastating turbulence incident that left one dead and many injured on a flight from London to Singapore.

 

The airline will provide US$10,000 (approximately £8,200) to passengers who sustained injuries during the severe turbulence on flight SQ321, a Boeing 777-300ER carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew members.

 

The incident occurred last month and resulted in the death of a 73-year-old British man and left several others with critical injuries, including skull, brain, and spine damage.

 

The tragic event forced the plane to make an emergency landing in Bangkok where the injured were quickly transported to local hospitals. Singapore Airlines has issued a statement detailing its compensation plan, which includes $10,000 for those with minor injuries.

 

For passengers more severely affected, tailored compensation packages will be discussed individually. In cases where long-term care is needed, an advance payment of US$25,000 can be requested.

 

In addition to compensation, the airline will refund airfare for all passengers on the flight and provide delay compensation according to EU and UK regulations. Initially, each passenger departing Bangkok received 1,000 Singapore Dollars (approximately £600) to cover immediate expenses.

 

The airline has been arranging for family members of the injured to travel to Bangkok and covering their medical costs.

 

The Singaporean Transport Ministry reported that the aircraft experienced a sudden 54-metre drop in altitude while flying over southern Myanmar, causing violent movements for unbelted passengers.

 

This rapid change in gravitational force contributed to the severity of the injuries. The Transport Safety Investigation Bureau, alongside experts from the US National Transportation Safety Board, FAA, and Boeing, is investigating the cause.

 

According to the Montreal Convention, airlines are obligated to compensate for damage related to passenger injury or death. The maximum liability for each passenger, in this case, could surpass the convention’s limit of US$170,000, depending on the investigation's findings.

 

Singapore Airlines has pledged to review and improve its turbulence handling procedures to prioritise safety, including halting in-flight meal services and hot drink distribution when the seatbelt sign is on. The airline also emphasised that while passengers are encouraged to wear seatbelts at all times, enforcement is only mandatory during turbulence.

 

The investigation is ongoing, and more details are expected to emerge as officials continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

 

Picture courtesy: The Mirror

 

-- 2024-06-12

 

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[thaibeachlovers]

IMO too many people ignore the sensible precaution of fastening their seat belt when sitting. I think passengers should only get compensation if wearing a seat belt, or when walking when the "Fasten seat belt" sign is not on. People should use their brain and take responsibility for themselves.

Turbulence is an expected part of flying, but many leave their common sense in the departure lounge, IMO.

 

If passengers bring on hand carry that exceeds the weight limit and that injures someone else, IMO they should be prosecuted.

[Georgealbert]

From Singapore Airline

 

[Georgealbert]

40 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

IMO too many people ignore the sensible precaution of fastening their seat belt when sitting. I think passengers should only get compensation if wearing a seat belt, or when walking when the "Fasten seat belt" sign is not on. People should use their brain and take responsibility for themselves.

Turbulence is an expected part of flying, but many leave their common sense in the departure lounge, IMO.

 

If passengers bring on hand carry that exceeds the weight limit and that injures someone else, IMO they should be prosecuted.

I know you seem to live a vacuum, but have you read anything and understand it, about this incident?

 

This was not a normal turbulence incident, it was a short, less than 5 seconds violent event, that occurred when food was being served. The pilot turned on the seat belt sign only about 8 seconds before in happened.

 

Try reading the facts, from TSIB (Transport Safety Investigation Bureau) preliminary investigation findings.

 

https://www.mot.gov.sg/news/press-releases/Details/transport-safety-investigation-bureau-preliminary-investigation-findings-of-incident-involving-sq321

This is good article of the seatbelt questions.

 

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-06-09/going-to-the-bathroom-when-plane-experiences-turbulence/103896414?utm_source=abc_news_web&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_web
 

The earlier thread from when event started is below for your reference.

 

 

[sidneybear]

Turbulence is a normal risk of flying and can happen without warning, or be more severe than pilots expect. Keep your seatbelt on.

[stoner]

2 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

I know you seem to live a vacuum, but have you read anything and understand it, about this incident?

 

i think you missed the point. seatbelts should be mandatory on planes at all times unless going to the bathroom. just because a little light is on or not doesn't mean (as i think the poster was getting at) you leave common sense at home and not wear your seat belt.

 

so if people on the plane had their seatbelt on they would of not been thrown about. thus negating most of the injuries that occurred. 

 

[impulse]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

This rapid change in gravitational force contributed to the severity of the injuries. The Transport Safety Investigation Bureau, alongside experts from the US National Transportation Safety Board, FAA, and Boeing, is investigating the cause.

 

According to the Montreal Convention, airlines are obligated to compensate for damage related to passenger injury or death. The maximum liability for each passenger, in this case, could surpass the convention’s limit of US$170,000, depending on the investigation's findings.

 

I wonder if they're asking for a liability release before the investigations are completed.  $10K and a refund is chump change.

 

[Georgealbert]

24 minutes ago, stoner said:

 

i think you missed the point. seatbelts should be mandatory on planes at all times unless going to the bathroom. just because a little light is on or not doesn't mean (as i think the poster was getting at) you leave common sense at home and not wear your seat belt.

 

so if people on the plane had their seatbelt on they would of not been thrown about. thus negating most of the injuries that occurred. 

 

The airlines are realistic and know making seat belts mandatory is not practical.

 

So are you also saying the cabin crew, should be strapped in all the time also? Or you think their safety is not to be considered or a cabin crew member thrown in the sir will not injury anyone else? If crews are to be strapped in at all times, then no food or drinks!

 

These types of events are rare, as on an average day there are over 98000 commercial flights. You have not considered deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or first and business class flights with access to onboard bars.

 

Pilots base their judgement, if turbulence is expected, on instrumentation and weather radar, pre flight weather reports and forecast and additional information on unexpected turbulence, often passed between pilots and ATC (Air Traffic Control).

 

IATA (The International Air Transport Association) have developed a new data exchange platform called ‘Turbulence Aware’ which is designed to provide airlines with better information for flights. 

 

https://www.iata.org/en/services/statistics/safety-data/turbulence-platform/

So no I have not missed the point, I have considered the details and not just a simplistic solution, which the airlines themself have dismissed.

 

 

[stoner]

2 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

So are you also saying the cabin crew, should be strapped in all the time also? Or you think their safety is not to be considered or a cabin crew member thrown in the sir will not injury anyone else? If crews are to be strapped in at all times, then no food or drinks!

 

yes because i mentioned anything about this. 

 

3 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

The airlines are realistic and know making seat belts mandatory is not practical.

 

seems its practical for cars and people for the most part follow it. seatbelts save lives is the slogan. you could easily retrofit the seats with a sensor that beeps like a car if the belt is not fastened while seated. 

 

anyone not wearing a belt (passengers) at the bar or first class you mention should knowingly waive their right to compensation. otherwise they can sit in their seat like everyone else and fasten their belt for safety. diverted flights for defiance of rules just like there is with violence and abuse. heavy fines and bans would condition almost everyone to wear a belt at all times while flying....just like it does with violence and abuse. 

 

as for staff they should have insurance provided by the airline to cover the risk and injury they might incur at work.  

 

 

[connda]

Keep your seat belt on during flights and save yourself from injuries due to turbulence.

[Georgealbert]

51 minutes ago, stoner said:

 

yes because i mentioned anything about this. 

 

 

seems its practical for cars and people for the most part follow it. seatbelts save lives is the slogan. you could easily retrofit the seats with a sensor that beeps like a car if the belt is not fastened while seated. 

 

anyone not wearing a belt (passengers) at the bar or first class you mention should knowingly waive their right to compensation. otherwise they can sit in their seat like everyone else and fasten their belt for safety. diverted flights for defiance of rules just like there is with violence and abuse. heavy fines and bans would condition almost everyone to wear a belt at all times while flying....just like it does with violence and abuse. 

 

as for staff they should have insurance provided by the airline to cover the risk and injury they might incur at work.  

 

 

5555 thanks for the laugh. 
 

So you suggest seats have a beeper to alert the cabin crew every time someone releases their belt. What next, maybe  air bags fitted to the back of seats, as cars and planes are so similar.

 

Maybe airlines could give passengers a token for going to the toilet, the number of tokens based on the length of flight, or maybe give cabin crew the authority to issue on the spot fines, if a passenger releases the seat belt.

 

Given you well thought out and balanced approach, maybe you should email IATA (International Air Transport Association) or ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) as I sure their qualified and experienced, aviation specialists, would then back mandatory wearing of seat belts at all times, and admit they would never had considered it without your guidance.

[Yagoda]

Its all bandwidth banter to me, I wear my seatbelt at all times in a plane (except whilst hitting the head).

[5davidhen1]

30 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

Its all bandwidth banter to me, I wear my seatbelt at all times in a plane (except whilst hitting the head).

Wearing your seatbelt is supposed to prevent you from hitting your head (on the ceiling) 555.

[sqwakvfr]

2 hours ago, impulse said:

 

I wonder if they're asking for a liability release before the investigations are completed.  $10K and a refund is chump change.

 

Standard policy whenever compensation is offered.  Release of Liability and NDA(Non Disclosure Agreement).  Any lawyer will say do not accept any first offer.  It is not matter of greed but protecting oneself from future medical expenses.  One might be fine now but in some cases the effects of injury that is not diagnosed in the present could be expensive in the future.  

[Ralf001]

6 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

 

 

If passengers bring on hand carry that exceeds the weight limit and that injures someone else, IMO they should be prosecuted.

 

IMO that is on the airline for not policing weight limits.

[nauseus]

2 hours ago, impulse said:

 

I wonder if they're asking for a liability release before the investigations are completed.  $10K and a refund is chump change.

 

 

Still too much for the chumps who were seated w/out belts.

[nauseus]

4 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

 

IMO that is on the airline for not policing weight limits.

 

Another bloody queue then.

[nauseus]

26 minutes ago, 5davidhen1 said:

Wearing your seatbelt is supposed to prevent you from hitting your head (on the ceiling) 555.

 

Well yes, that's why most of them were OK. 555 555

[nauseus]

1 hour ago, Yagoda said:

Its all bandwidth banter to me, I wear my seatbelt at all times in a plane (except whilst hitting the head).

 

The head or your head. Heads are on ships and boats, planes have lavatories.

[impulse]

1 hour ago, Georgealbert said:

So you suggest seats have a beeper to alert the cabin crew every time someone releases their belt. What next, maybe  air bags fitted to the back of seats, as cars and planes are so similar.

 

I don't know that the idea is that far out.  There have been several times that I thought I was strapped in, but the buckle didn't catch.  Having a little flashing light overhead warning me would have been helpful.  Also in cases where the seatbelt sign goes on...  People just aren't thinking, and a little warning light above their seat would remind them.

 

It would also reduce workload for the flight attendants who have to check everyone's crotch area before landing to make sure we're all strapped in.  They've gotta love that part...

 

Expensive?  I'm sure it is.  But worth evaluating.

 

[Ralf001]

7 minutes ago, nauseus said:

 

Another bloody queue then.

 

moan moan moan.

If people did the right thing it would not need policing.

[Ralf001]

5 minutes ago, nauseus said:

 

The head or your head. Heads are on ships and boats, planes have lavatories.

you spelt commode wrong.

[nauseus]

6 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

you spelt commode wrong.

I bet that's what you call your dunny.

[NoDisplayName]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

This rapid change in gravitational force contributed to the severity of the injuries.

 

Hub of alternate physical realities.

[impulse]

Just now, NoDisplayName said:

7 hours ago, webfact said:

This rapid change in gravitational force contributed to the severity of the injuries.

 

Hub of alternate physical realities.

 

That was my first thought when I read that.  But changes in G forces did cause stuff to go flying around the cabin, even if gravity itself remained constant. 

 

It's a frame of reference thing...

 

[thaibeachlovers]

2 hours ago, stoner said:

as for staff they should have insurance provided by the airline to cover the risk and injury they might incur at work.  

Staff know the risks and accept them by working. It's the same as soldiers or police. That doesn't apply to passengers. If wearing a seat belt in a car can be mandatory, it can be for air travel.

It doesn't require staff to be police though- it can just be a rule that if injured by turbulence because of not wearing a seat belt, no compensation will be paid.

[Ralf001]

20 minutes ago, nauseus said:

I bet that's what you call your dunny.

dunny ?

 

[richard_smith237]

3 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The airlines are realistic and know making seat belts mandatory is not practical.

 

So are you also saying the cabin crew, should be strapped in all the time also? Or you think their safety is not to be considered or a cabin crew member thrown in the sir will not injury anyone else? If crews are to be strapped in at all times, then no food or drinks!

 

These types of events are rare, as on an average day there are over 98000 commercial flights. You have not considered deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or first and business class flights with access to onboard bars.

 

Pilots base their judgement, if turbulence is expected, on instrumentation and weather radar, pre flight weather reports and forecast and additional information on unexpected turbulence, often passed between pilots and ATC (Air Traffic Control).

 

 

IATA (The International Air Transport Association) have developed a new data exchange platform called ‘Turbulence Aware’ which is designed to provide airlines with better information for flights. 

 

https://www.iata.org/en/services/statistics/safety-data/turbulence-platform/

So no I have not missed the point, I have considered the details and not just a simplistic solution, which the airlines themself have dismissed.

 

 

 

You are gaslighting....    everyone knows keeping your seatbelt fastened while seated and at all times its practical to do do so, i.e. when not doing to the toilet etc...   is sensible. 

 

If people want to ignore recommendations and use the bar in business class etc...  thats their risk. 

Should they be 'compensated' for having a drink in business class when the risk of entering 'clear air turbulence' is something we are all aware of ? (most of us).

 

DVT can be mitigated with flight socks, inflight leg exercises and pre-flight medication (i.e. Heparin - for those in high risk groups)...

 

Pilots cannot 'base use any of their judgement' for CAT - its something that is unforeseeable and unexpected, it doesnt come up on a radar...

 

 

It seems you are blaming the airline for the passengers not fastening their seatbelt - this is 'almost' in alignment for blaming the taxi company for your injuries in an accident when you are not wearing your seatbelt and another car hit the taxi you are travelling in.

 

 

 

 

[thaibeachlovers]

31 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

I don't know that the idea is that far out.  There have been several times that I thought I was strapped in, but the buckle didn't catch.  Having a little flashing light overhead warning me would have been helpful.  Also in cases where the seatbelt sign goes on...  People just aren't thinking, and a little warning light above their seat would remind them.

 

It would also reduce workload for the flight attendants who have to check everyone's crotch area before landing to make sure we're all strapped in.  They've gotta love that part...

 

Expensive?  I'm sure it is.  But worth evaluating.

 

If people can't fasten a buckle it's not the airline's problem, and neither is people "not thinking".

 

Seems the nanny state has been sapping people's initiative for too long, and it's always someone else's responsibility.

 

Your light thing isn't going to work as there is always some Joe Moron that will work out a way to make the light work without being buckled in.

 

 

[Ben Zioner]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

This rapid change in gravitational force contributed to the severity of the injuries. The Transport Safety Investigation Bureau, alongside experts from the US National Transportation Safety Board, FAA, and Boeing, is investigating the cause.

 

Must be a first in aviation history, it was a "rapid change in gravitational force". Guys, the Bermuda triangle has gone Walkabout.