‘My husband died after our plane fell 178ft in severe turbulence’

27 Aug 2026 • 7:56 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

‘My husband died after our plane fell 178ft in severe turbulence’

  • Linda Kitchen has described the harrowing moment Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 plummeted 178ft in under five seconds due to severe turbulence over Myanmar during a journey from London Heathrow in May 2024.
  • Her 73-year-old husband, Geoff Kitchen, tragically died after suffering a suspected heart attack during the sudden drop, while 74-year-old Mrs Kitchen sustained severe spinal fractures and required intensive care treatment before being repatriated to the UK.
  • Mrs Kitchen has filed High Court claims for personal injury damages against Singapore Airlines on behalf of herself and her husband's estate, stating she is seeking clarity and full answers regarding the circumstances of his death.
  • The legal action is part of a broader lawsuit by several UK passengers, including Bradley Richards, Jack Jenkins, Hannah Fullerton, Andrew Dawood, Bryan Matthews, and Pauline and Michael Rainey, who were also injured during the flight.
  • Singapore Airlines, which declined to comment on ongoing court proceedings, previously issued an apology for the traumatic experience that forced an emergency landing in Bangkok and confirmed it has since adopted a more cautious approach to managing in-flight turbulence.

IN FULL

Newswav Malaysia Best News App

Newswav is an online content aggregator and obtains its content from different online sources. The content in the app do not belong to Newswav nor do they reflect the opinions of Newswav and its staff. Your use of this app indicates your understanding and acceptance of this information.

Newswav Sdn. Bhd. (201701008480 (1222645-M)) 2026 All Rights Reserved