Singapore Airlines jet endured huge swings in gravitational force during turbulence: report

KUALA LUMPUR: The Singapore Airlines jetliner that hit severe turbulence last week went through huge swings in gravitational force in less than five s...

KUALA LUMPUR: The Singapore Airlines jetliner that hit severe turbulence last week went through huge swings in gravitational force in less than five seconds, likely causing the injuries to people who weren't buckled into their seats, according to a preliminary report on Wednesday by Singapore’s Transport Ministry.

The plane dropped 178 feet (54 meters) in less than one second, which "likely resulted in the occupants who were not belted up to become airborne” before falling back down, the Transport Ministry said.

A 73-year-old British man died of a suspected heart attack and dozens were injured after the Boeing 777, which was flying from London to Singapore on May 21, ran into turbulence that hurled people and items around the cabin. The plane, with 211 passengers and 18 crew members, made an emergency landing in Bangkok.

Singapore's Transport Ministry said investigators, including those from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, Federal Aviation Administration and Boeing, had compiled a chronology of events based on the preliminary analysis of the flight's data and cockpit voice recorders.

Early findings show that as the plane cruised at about 37,000 feet over southern Myanmar, it began to experience slight vibration due to changes in the gravitational force, the ministry said. The jet's altitude increased - likely caused by an updraft, not by any action of the pilots - causing the autopilot system to push the plane back down to the selected altitude, the report said.