Flight tracking data showed SQ321 experienced a 6,000-foot (1.8km) drop within four minutes.
While turbulence can cause planes to lose altitude quickly, experts said the sudden dive for an aircraft the size of the Boeing 777-300ER was highly abnormal. Instead, it would more likely have been the pilots’ reaction, said analysts.
“That amount of descent (relative to) time may not be subjected to a downdraft, it could be more indicative of the pilots reacting to the situation,” Mr Michael Daniel, managing director of consultancy firm Aviation Insight, told CNA's Singapore Tonight.
Deep Sea OP : The pilots will have more to explain for their reaction.
102529199 : That 4 mins descend is probably the mitigation measure taken right? Turbulence for 4 mins sounds like a really scary roller coaster ride…
Deep Sea OP 102529199 : Sounds scary from reading the article