Singapore Airlines jet endured huge swings in gravitational force during turbulence, report says

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — A preliminary investigation says the Singapore Airlines plane that ran into turbulence last week went through huge changes in gravitational force, leaving one passenger dead and many others injured. That’s according to a preliminary report issued Wednesday by Singapore’s Transport Ministry. The plane dropped 178 feet (54 meters) in five seconds. Pilots briefly disconnected the autopilot on the Boeing 777 as they regained control, then made an emergency landing in Bangkok. A 73-year-old British man died of a suspected heart attack and dozens were injured during the flight from London to Singapore on May 21. People and items were hurled around the cabin. The plane was carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew members.