Severe turbulence from deep convective clouds during flight SQ321 on 21 May 2024

Flight SQ321 encountered severe turbulence on May 21, 2024, while flying over Myanmar at an altitude of 37,000 feet, resulting in one fatality and 41 injuries. Using high-resolution satellite data from Himawari 8/9 and Formosat-7/COSMIC-2, as well as ADS-B flight data, this study investigates the meteorological conditions and operational factors contributing to the turbulence. The findings indicate that SQ321 flew through deep convective clouds with tops reaching 55,000 feet, characterized by cloud-top temperatures as low as - 80 [Formula: see text]. Convective Available Potential Energy (CAPE) values of 692-737 J [Formula: see text], derived from GPS Radio Occultation profiles, indicated vertical velocities of up to 38 m[Formula: see text]. These velocities correlate with turbulence-inducing G-forces of up to 1.15g. Our study shows that the dynamic development of deep convective clouds in the hours leading up to the event (as indicated by satellite imagery). Satellite observations show that the deep convective clouds were developing rapidly between 06:00 UT and 07:40 UT. Recommendations include improving turbulence detection, enhancing onboard radar systems, and emphasizing turbulence awareness training for pilots, passengers, and crew. These findings provide actionable strategies for mitigating turbulence risks in an era of increasing atmospheric instability due to climate change.