Singapore flight mishap: Only those not wearing seat belt were hurt, say officials

Want to be a rebel and not follow rules? Just be prepared to face the consequences.

It has come to light that the eight of the 408 passengers on board the Singapore Airlines flight, which made a hard landing at Mumbai airport on Saturday after entering turbulence, were injured because they had not fastened the seat belt as instructed by the pilot.

Besides the seven, 15 of the 25 crew members were also injured in the mishap.

A source within the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which is conducting an inquiry into the incident, 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 belt were thrown from their seat due to the turbulence. As for the crew members, they have to move around as part of their job, hence, they too were injured."

DGCA has recorded 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.

Recounting the incident, sources said the mishap happened on board flight SQ424, which was on its way to Mumbai from Singapore. It entered turbulence at an altitude of 15,000 feet.

Airline officials said many of those injured were given medical aid at a nearby hospital and later discharged.

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.