- Some scientists believe it could be causing clear-air turbulence that can be tough for pilots to avoid
The interior of Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 after an emergency landing at Bangkok airport. Photo: ReutersSingapore Airlines has changed its in-flight seat belt rules and altered at least one flight route. These changes came after a turbulence incident last month killed one person and left dozens critically injured.
The airline is adopting a more cautious approach to turbulence, including not serving hot drinks or meals when the seat belt sign is on.
The SQ321 London-Singapore flight on a Boeing 777-300ER plane carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew diverted to Bangkok for an emergency landing on May 21.
The plane was buffeted by turbulence that flung people around the cabin, slamming some into the ceiling. A 73-year-old British passenger died of a suspected heart attack.
Photographs from inside the plane showed gashes in the overhead cabin panels, oxygen masks and panels hanging from the ceiling and luggage strewn around. A passenger said some people’s heads had slammed into the lights above the seats and broken the panels.
While turbulence-related fatalities are quite rare, injuries have piled up over the years. Some meteorologists and aviation analysts note that reports of turbulence encounters have also been increasing. They point to the potential impacts that climate change may have on flying conditions.
Most incidents of planes hitting bumpy air are minor. However, airlines have made steady improvements to reduce accident rates from turbulence over time.
Experts advise air travellers to stay vigilant, stressing the importance of wearing a seat belt whenever possible as a first line of protection
What is severe air turbulence, and how can you protect yourself?
How climate change is affecting turbulence
Thomas Guinn, chair of the applied aviation sciences department at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, explains that some predict climate change could alter the jet stream and increase wind shear, consequently driving up turbulence in the air.
Paul Williams, a professor of atmospheric science at the University of Reading in England, said there was “strong evidence that turbulence is increasing because of climate change.”
Williams said his research team recently discovered that severe clear-air turbulence in the North Atlantic has increased by 55 per cent since 1979, for example. The team’s latest projections signal that severe turbulence in the jet streams could double or triple in the coming decades if global conditions continue as expected, he said.
What is turbulence and can pilots avoid it?
Turbulence is the irregular motion of air as a result of vertical currents (updrafts and downdrafts) and eddies (a whirl of air). Most people associate it with heavy storms. But the most dangerous type is clear-air turbulence, which often occurs with no visible warning in the sky ahead (see graphic).
Pilots play a crucial role in managing turbulence. They employ various methods, such as using a weather radar display, to avoid turbulence. In some cases, they can visually identify and navigate around thunderstorms. However, clear-air turbulence, which is invisible and undetectable by aircraft radar, poses a unique challenge.
According to Doug Moss, a former airline pilot and safety consultant, air traffic controllers will warn pilots after another plane runs into clear-air turbulence. Many pilots also look at the upper-level jet streams along their route for signs of wind shear, then plan to fly above, below or around those areas.
Modern planes are strong enough to handle just about any turbulence. While cabin areas such as overhead bins may be damaged, it will not affect the plane’s ability to fly safely.
Turbulence can be unpredictable, but there are key safety measures that can be taken. Experts stress that the first line of defence in the air is keeping the seat belt fastened, whenever possible. This simple action can significantly reduce the risk of injury during turbulence.