Aircraft that operated SQ321 returns to Singapore from Bangkok

SINGAPORE: The Singapore Airlines (SIA) aircraft that operated turbulence-hit flight SQ321 returned to Singapore on Sunday (May 26), five days after it made an emergency landing in Bangkok.

The plane landed in Singapore at 1.39pm, SIA said in response to CNA's query.

According to flight tracking service Flightradar24, the plane, now SQ9071, departed Bangkok at 10.49am local time.

"SIA obtained the necessary approvals from the relevant authorities in Singapore and Thailand, the investigators, and the aircraft manufacturer, and the aircraft was cleared by our Engineering and Flight Operations teams, before departure," the airline told CNA on Sunday.

SQ321 had been travelling from London to Singapore on May 21, carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew members, when it encountered extreme turbulence. One passenger died and and dozen were injured, resulting in an emergency diversion of the Boeing 777-300ER.

A total of 41 patients remain hospitalised in Thailand as of noon on Sunday - down from 43 the previous day, according to Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital. 

The hospital is one of three in Bangkok that took in injured passengers on board SQ321.

SIA said it has been in contact with passengers and crew members who were on the flight, including those who are still in Bangkok.

"Where requested, we have facilitated travel to Bangkok for their families and loved ones." 

The airline added it is fully cooperating with the relevant authorities in the investigation into this incident.

Minister for Transport Chee Hong Tat said on Friday that investigators had obtained and are examining the data from the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder of the flight.

Singapore's Transport Safety Investigation Bureau (TSIB), part of the Transport Ministry, despatched investigators to Bangkok to find out what happened. Investigators from the United States have also travelled to Thailand.