Nearly 16 years ago, Caroline Southcott got up to go to the toilet on a flight from Singapore to Perth. As she was returning to her seat, she suffered severe injuries that continue to impact her to this day.
Singapore Airlines turbulence incident, and other unexpected pitch-downs, raise questions about how to stay safe when going to the bathroomNearly 16 years ago, Caroline Southcott got up to go to the toilet on a flight from Singapore to Perth but as she was returning to her seat, she suffered severe injuries that continue to impact her to this day.
Caroline remembers finishing her meal, noticing the fasten seatbelt sign was not on, and deciding to go to the bathroom. More than 100 passengers and crew had been injured and the captain famously issued a mayday call and diverted to a remote air force base in Learmonth, Western Australia. Caroline said she gripped the armrest and used her arms to hold herself upright until the plane landed.Just after 1.30pm local time, flight QF72 landed in Learmonth, but for Caroline and many others onboard, the impact of that incident lives on.Bunk beds in economy, bars in business class and those dreamy one-bedroom suites in first class — these are all parts of an ever-evolving flying experience.
There are some measures within a passenger's control, but it is also a question aviation regulators will have to answer.In its last update, Singapore Airlines said 20 passengers and crew were still in hospital in Bangkok.Making flying safer involves the rules set by regulators, the policies of the airlines and the behaviour of passengers themselves.
But as the aircraft moves beyond the take-off phase of the flight, a familiar tone signals the fasten seat belt sign has been turned off and crew will no longer stop anyone from moving around. Dr Molesworth said one way to do that was to minimise the amount of time spent waiting to use the bathroom, but said again, individuals had to make their own assessments.
He said dehydration was also a factor, so it was a "necessity" for passengers to know that they could go to the bathroom. "In addition to the suspension of hot beverage service when the seat belt sign is on, the meal service will also be suspended," the airline said in"Crew members will also return to their seats and secure their seat belts when the seatbelt sign is on."Investigations into the Singapore Airlines incident, and the sudden drop experienced by a LATAM flight from Sydney to Auckland in March, are ongoing.
Qantas QF72 SQ321 Caroline Southcott ATSB
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