Widow of British passenger who died after SQ321 turbulence sues Singapore Airlines

Linda Kitchen, 74, has initiated legal proceedings against Singapore Airlines (SIA) in Britain, seeking damages after she sustained serious spinal injuries during severe turbulence on SIA flight SQ321 in May 2024. Her husband, Geoff Kitchen, 73, died during the incident. The couple had been traveling on a six-week holiday to Singapore, Indonesia, and Australia when the flight encountered violent turbulence over Myanmar. Linda described the turbulence as so intense that she believed the plane was crashing. During the incident, Geoff fell on top of her, pinning her against the seat armrest before other passengers assisted in moving him and a doctor performed CPR. Linda was hospitalized in Bangkok for 10 days before returning to Bristol, England, where she required further medical attention and substantial assistance post-discharge. She learned of her husband’s death two days after the incident, describing the news as "absolutely devastating." The turbulence occurred on May 21, 2024, when SQ321, a Boeing 777-300ER operating from London to Singapore, encountered severe conditions over Myanmar. The flight, carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew members, was forced to divert to Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok for an emergency landing. According to reports, the aircraft plunged nearly 54 meters in just five seconds during the turbulence, causing widespread chaos in the cabin. Several passengers were thrown from their seats, and items were scattered throughout the cabin. The incident resulted in one fatality, Geoff Kitchen, and 79 injuries, ranging from minor to serious. Linda Kitchen suffered a broken back and required extensive medical care following the ordeal. Singapore's Transport Safety Investigation Bureau (TSIB) released a final report in May 2026 detailing the cause of the turbulence. The investigation found that the turbulence was convectively induced, likely due to rapidly growing clouds capable of generating powerful updrafts and downdrafts. The report noted that the aircraft’s weather radar did not detect the adverse weather conditions prior to the turbulence striking. While the radar manufacturer stated there was no evidence of a system failure, the TSIB acknowledged that the sudden nature of the turbulence left little time for the crew to warn passengers. The seat belt sign had been activated shortly before the turbulence hit, but the severity of the event occurred within 17 seconds, preventing the crew from making a timely announcement. Linda Kitchen and her legal representative, Anthe Korelidou, emphasized that the family continues to seek clarity regarding the incident and whether additional measures could have been taken to prevent the injuries and fatalities. They highlighted the importance of conducting thorough investigations to address lingering questions about the event. The family awaits the outcome of a coroner’s inquest into Geoff Kitchen’s death, which is expected to provide further insights into the circumstances surrounding his passing. In response to the incident, Singapore Airlines issued apologies and compensation offers to affected passengers. Those with minor injuries received $10,000, while those requiring long-term medical care were offered $25,000. All passengers received refunds for their airfares. However, despite these gestures, multiple passengers, including Linda Kitchen, have pursued legal action against the airline. Other individuals such as Bradley Richards, Jack Jenkins, Hannah Fullerton, Andrew Dawood, Bryan Matthews, and Pauline and Michael Rainey have also filed claims against SIA. Singapore Airlines declined to comment on ongoing legal matters, citing the need to respect judicial processes. As the legal proceedings progress, the focus will remain on uncovering the full extent of the airline’s liability and ensuring that all affected parties receive appropriate redress. The case underscores the complex interplay between aviation safety protocols, technological limitations, and the human impact of unexpected emergencies in air travel.