Widow of SQ321 turbulence victim sues Singapore Airlines
Linda Kitchen, 74, filed High Court claims in London on Monday seeking damages from Singapore Airlines after she broke her back when severe turbulence struck SQ321 in May 2024. Her husband Geoff Kitchen, 73, died in the…
Source: Channel NewsAsia · August 29, 2026 at 10:01 AM · AI-assisted report
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LONDON, SINGAPORE, MYANMAR, BANGKOK, BRISTOL, UK HIGH COURT, 29 AUGUST 2026 —
Singapore Airlines Faces UK Lawsuit Over Fatal Turbulence Incident as Widow Seeks Compensation
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LONDON/SINGAPORE — The widow of a British passenger who died during severe turbulence on Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight SQ321 in May 2024 has filed a lawsuit against the airline in the UK High Court, seeking damages to fund specialist medical support after suffering a broken back in the incident.
Linda Kitchen, 74, broke her spine when the Boeing 777-300ER encountered extreme turbulence over Myanmar en route from London to Singapore. Her husband, Geoff Kitchen, 73, died during the ordeal. According to court documents cited by the BBC, the Kitchens have initiated two separate claims—one on behalf of Mrs. Kitchen and another on behalf of her late husband’s estate.
The legal action follows reports that multiple other passengers injured in the incident have also launched claims against SIA. Among them are Bradley Richards, Jack Jenkins, Hannah Fullerton, Andrew Dawood, Bryan Matthews, and Pauline and Michael Rainey, as confirmed by The Independent.
SIA declined to comment when contacted by Channel NewsAsia on August 29, citing ongoing court proceedings.
The turbulence struck just 17 seconds after the seat belt sign was activated, leaving no time for crew announcements. Mrs. Kitchen told the BBC she feared the plane was going down as rapid gravitational shifts sent unbelted passengers airborne. Her husband collapsed on top of her, pinning her against a seat armrest before fellow passengers and a doctor administered CPR.
She was later hospitalised in Bangkok for 10 days before being flown back to Bristol, where she spent an additional week in recovery.
Mrs. Kitchen only learned of her husband’s death two days after the incident. “Nothing prepared me for hearing he had died. It was absolutely devastating,” she told the BBC. Speaking to The Independent, she emphasised her pursuit of answers: “I feel I owe it to him to at least get some answers.”
Her legal representative, aviation lawyer Anthe Korelidou, stated that the family remains unresolved on key questions about the incident and whether preventable measures could have been taken. The case comes ahead of a coroner’s inquest into Mr. Kitchen’s death, as reported by The Independent.
Flight SQ321, carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew, was diverted to Bangkok for an emergency landing after the May 21, 2024 turbulence. Mr. Kitchen died, while 56 others suffered serious injuries and 23 sustained minor injuries. A final report by Singapore’s Transport Safety Investigation Bureau (TSIB), released in May 2026, attributed Mr. Kitchen’s death to heart failure and pulmonary oedema—a condition involving fluid buildup in the lungs.
Investigators concluded the turbulence was caused by rapidly developing convective clouds capable of producing extreme updrafts and downdrafts. The aircraft’s weather radar did not detect the hazardous conditions, despite pilots reporting no visible bad weather on their navigational displays. The radar manufacturer later stated it found no evidence of system failure during the flight.
In response to the incident, SIA issued compensation offers in June 2024: US$10,000 to passengers with minor injuries and US$25,000 in advance payments to those with serious injuries, with further compensation to be negotiated based on individual circumstances. The airline also issued a public apology and implemented enhanced turbulence management measures, including upgraded monitoring tools on crew tablets, revised guidance on radar limitations, additional flight crew training, and reinforced passenger seat belt reminders.
The case underscores broader concerns within the aviation industry regarding the unpredictability of severe turbulence and the adequacy of safety protocols. While SIA has taken steps to mitigate risks, the legal proceedings highlight the human cost of such incidents and the ongoing demand for accountability.
As the High Court case proceeds, stakeholders across the aviation sector will be closely monitoring its outcome, which may influence future turbulence response strategies and compensation frameworks globally. For now, Mrs. Kitchen’s pursuit of answers and justice continues—a journey that began with a holiday and ended in tragedy, now seeking resolution through the courts.
Related: Singapore Airlines