Aircraft hit by deadly turbulence returns to Singapore
The Singapore Airlines aircraft used for a flight in which a passenger died during severe turbulence has returned to Singapore five days after its emergency landing in Bangkok, the carrier says.
A 73-year-old British man died of a suspected heart attack and Australians were among dozens injured on Tuesday after flight SQ321, flying from London to Singapore, encountered what the airline described as sudden, extreme turbulence while flying over Myanmar.
The flight carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew diverted to Bangkok for an emergency landing.
Fifty-two people who were on board remained in Bangkok, including 40 passengers and a crew member receiving treatment in hospital, SIA said.
Five of the injured were in intensive care - three Australians, one British and one New Zealander, Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital in Bangkok said on Sunday.
Singapore Airlines said the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft was flown back to Singapore on Sunday, adding it was fully co-operating with the relevant authorities in the investigation into the incident.
"SIA obtained the necessary approvals from the relevant authorities in Singapore and Thailand, the investigators, and the aircraft manufacturer, and the aircraft was cleared by our engineering and flight operations teams, before departure," Singapore Airlines told Channel News Asia.
