Indian Civil Aviation directorate probes SIA flight hit by turbulence
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) of India has launched a probe into a Singapore Airlines superjumbo A-380 being hit by severe turbulence while landing at Mumbai airport, reported The Business Standard.
The incident led to injuries to 22 people, including 14 crew members.
The packed Flight SQ424, carrying over 430 people, was hit by sudden turbulence during descent on Saturday night.
All the eight injured passengers and 14 crew members were admitted at two private hospitals in suburban Andheri. Twenty of them were discharged in a few hours, after medical treatment.
Meanwhile, a source within the DGCA told DNA India that it has recorded the statements of the crew members and passengers. The aviation regulator's city unit has prepared a preliminary inquiry report on the incident and sent it to its headquarters in Delhi.
The DGCA source reiterated the importance of wearing seat belts and said: "If there was turbulence of such magnitude, why weren't all the passengers injured?"
"This clearly shows that only those who did not obey the instruction to fasten seat belts were thrown from their seats due to the turbulence." - A Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation source, in an interview with DNA India
"As for the crew members, they have to move around as part of their job, hence, they too were injured."
Recounting the incident, sources told DNA India that Flight SQ424 experienced turbulence at an altitude of 15,000 feet (4,500m) and the plane had to make a hard landing.
A hard landing of an aircraft is defined as a rapid or steep descent during the final phase just before touching down. It occurs when the vehicle touches the ground with greater vertical speed and force as compared to a normal landing.
Sources: Business Standard, DNA India
Related report: 22 hurt as SIA jet hits turbulence
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now