Ayon sa lumabas na balita sa ilang kilalang online media outlet sa Pilipinas, limang Filipino nationals o mamayan ng Pilipinas ang sakay na Singapore Airlines na dumanas ng malakas na turbulence sa biyahe mula London papuntang Singapore.
Ang nasabing matinding turbulence ng nangyari sa Singapore Airlines Flight SQ321 kahapon, Martes (21 May) ay may sakay na 211 na pasehero, kabilang ang 5 Filipino, at 18 crew ng nasabing eroplano. Agad din na nagkaroon ng emergency na paglanding ito sa Thailand international airport.
Ang pasaherong edad 73 na British citizen ay nai-ulat naman na namatay na sinususpetsahan na namatay dahil sa heart attack. Ilang dosena din ang nabalitang nasaktan gawa ng matinding turbulence at agad naman dinala sa hospital.
Sa nilabas na ilang video at photos ay makikita ang nagkalat na ilang gamit sa lapag ng eroplano. Ilang bahagi din ng eroplano ay makikitang bumaksak tulad ng ilaw at oxegen para sa mga pasahero.
Ano ang “Turbulence”:
Base sa sinulat ng ABC News, ayon sa Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) ay may anim na klase ang Turbulenc, ito ay:
1. Light chop: Slight, rapid, and somewhat rhythmic bumpiness without appreciable changes in aircraft altitude or attitude
2.Light turbulence: Slight, erratic changes in aircraft altitude and/or attitude. Occupants may feel a slight strain against seatbelts. Unsecured objects may be displaced slightly. Cabin service may be conducted, and there may be little to no difficulty walking
3.Moderate chop: Rapid bumps or jolts without appreciable changes in aircraft altitude or attitude
4.Moderate turbulence: Changes in aircraft altitude and/or attitude occur, but the aircraft remains in positive control at all times. It usually causes variations in indicated airspeed. Occupants feel definite strain against seatbelts; unsecured objects are dislodged; and cabin service and walking are difficult
5.Severe: Large, abrupt changes in aircraft altitude and/or attitude. Usually causes large variations in indicated airspeed. Aircraft may be momentarily out of control. Occupants are forced violently against seatbelts; unsecured objects are tossed about; and cabin service and walking are impossible
6.Extreme: Aircraft is violently tossed about and is practically impossible to control. May cause structural damage
Ayon pa rin sa CASA, ang turbulence ay nangyayari sa ganitong dahilan:
“Turbulence is caused by the relative movement of disturbed air through which an aircraft is flying and responsible for the abrupt sideways and vertical jolts that passengers can experience during flight.
“Its origin may be thermal or mechanical, and it may occur either within or clear of cloud.”
Humingi naman ng tawad ang namamahala ng Singapor Airlines sa mga pasahero at kamag-anak nito. Gayundin, nagpa-abot ito ng pakikiramay sa pamilya ng nasawing pasahero.
