Flight SQ321: Radar failed to detect weather likely behind severe turbulence, say investigators

The release of the final report comes almost two years after Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 experienced severe turbulence, resulting in one death and 79 people injured. - Photo: Reuters

SINGAPORE: The storm clouds that likely caused the onset of severe turbulence on a Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight from London to Singapore in May 2024 went undetected by the on-board weather radar and caught the captain by surprise.

A visual inspection of the skies by the pilots in their immediate flight path also indicated there were no clouds, based on a final report on the incident involving Flight SQ321. The Transport Safety Investigation Bureau (TSIB) released the report on Tuesday (May 19) – two days before the second anniversary of the ill-fated flight.