The widow of a British man who died when a Singapore Airlines flight plunged thousands of feet in severe turbulence has launched legal action against the carrier, her lawyers have confirmed.
Linda Kitchen is suing Singapore Airlines after her husband Geoffrey was fatally injured aboard flight SQ321 travelling from London Heathrow to Singapore last year. The aircraft suddenly dropped around 6,000 feet during a violent turbulence event, sending passengers and crew crashing into the cabin ceiling and floor without warning.
Geoffrey Kitchen, from England, was among those most seriously hurt during the terrifying incident. He later died from his injuries, making him one of the most high-profile casualties of what became one of the most dramatic turbulence events in recent aviation history.
Lawyers representing Linda Kitchen say the airline bears responsibility for what happened on board that flight. The legal team argues that Geoffrey was fatally injured as a direct result of the incident, and that the family deserves answers and compensation for their loss.
The Singapore Airlines flight became international news when it diverted to Bangkok following the turbulence. Dozens of passengers were injured, many of them seriously, with broken bones and spinal injuries reported among those on board. Footage and passenger accounts painted a chaotic and terrifying picture of the moments when the plane dropped without warning.
For Linda Kitchen, the legal case is about more than just compensation. Losing a husband in such sudden and shocking circumstances, tens of thousands of feet in the air on what should have been a routine long-haul flight, is something no family should have to go through. Her lawyers are pushing for the airline to be held fully accountable.
Singapore Airlines has previously expressed condolences to those affected and said it was cooperating with investigations into the incident. The airline has faced multiple legal claims from passengers injured during the flight, with cases being filed in several countries.
Turbulence-related injuries have become an increasing concern within the aviation industry. Experts have pointed to climate change as a contributing factor, with research suggesting that clear-air turbulence, the kind that cannot be detected on radar and gives no visible warning, is becoming more frequent and more intense over certain flight routes.
For passengers on SQ321, there was reportedly little to no warning before the aircraft dropped so dramatically. Some were not wearing seatbelts at the time, having been given the all-clear to move around the cabin. The speed and severity of the drop meant that even those seated nearby had little time to react.
The case brought by Linda Kitchen is likely to put further pressure on Singapore Airlines as it continues to deal with the fallout from the incident. Aviation lawyers say cases like this can be complex, often involving questions about where legal action can be brought and which country’s laws apply, given the international nature of air travel.
For now, Linda Kitchen wants justice for her husband. The legal process is only just beginning, but her decision to take on one of the world’s most well-regarded airlines signals that she is determined to see this through.