What is clear-air turbulence? What to know about the “very violent” phenomenon
Video and passenger accounts have painted a picture of chaos aboard Singapore Airlines Flight SQ321 after the passenger aircraft encountered what the airline called “sudden extreme turbulence.”
One person died during the incident. Authorities believe the passenger, identified as a 73-year-old British man, had a heart attack. Dozens more passengers were injured. Six people were treated for severe injuries after the plane made an emergency landing in Bangkok, Thailand, CBS News previously reported.
The incident has drawn attention to the dangers turbulence can pose. One type of turbulence, known as clear-air turbulence, can be especially difficult for pilots.
has increased by 41% over the past 40 years.
Is clear-air turbulence to blame for the chaos aboard Flight SQ321?
Experts were hesitant to say if clear-air turbulence was to blame for the scene aboard Singapore Airlines’ Flight SQ321. The airline said the death and injuries aboard the plane were caused when the aircraft “encountered sudden extreme turbulence.”
The plane was flying at 37,000 feet, the airline said, putting it in the range of clear-air turbulence, but experts highlighted thunderstorms in the area that could have caused the turbulence.
73-year-old man dies, dozens injured when severe turbulence hits flight headed to Singapore
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Robert Sumwalt, the former chair of the National Transportation Safety Board and a pilot, said on CBS Evening News that it’s “too early to know for sure” what caused the incident.
An investigation is ongoing.
Is there a clear-air turbulence forecast?
The unpredictability of clear-air turbulence makes it difficult to forecast, though it is more common during winter months.
Experts said the best way to prepare for the phenomenon is stay buckled in while flying.
If you’re not actively moving about the cabin, your seatbelt should be on, Adjekum said. If the pilot turns on a fasten seatbelts sign, all passengers should return to their seats as quickly as possible.
Kris Van Cleave and Tracy Wholf contributed to this report.
Kerry Breen
Source: cbsnews.com