Additional Coverage:
- I was an airline pilot for 11 years. The Singapore Airlines incident shows why you should always wear your seatbelt. (newsbreak.com)
Emma Henderson, who previously piloted for EasyJet from 2009 until her voluntary departure in 2020, shared insights into the importance of always wearing a seatbelt while flying. This advice comes in the wake of a tragic incident involving a Singapore Airlines flight that encountered severe turbulence, resulting in one fatality.
Henderson, honored with an MBE for her service, spent more than a decade navigating the skies and emphasized the unpredictable nature of turbulence. She vividly described how passengers, if not belted, could be injured by sudden shifts during flight—a risk underscored by the recent turbulence event on Singapore Airlines.
The pilot elaborated on the technical aspects of navigating through storms and turbulence. Despite advancements in weather radar systems capable of detecting impending atmospheric changes, Henderson pointed out that not all potential hazards are always visible to pilots. This unpredictability is a key reason why she advocates for the continuous wearing of seatbelts, regardless of whether the seatbelt sign is illuminated.
The Singapore Airlines incident, where interior damage was evident, serves as a stark reminder of the forces at play during extreme weather conditions. Henderson highlighted that, despite the rarity of such events, they underscore the unpredictable nature of flying through active storm regions, especially when characterized by high-energy air movements and thunderstorm activity.
Drawing from her extensive experience, Henderson recounted her encounters with moderate turbulence, noting her unwavering confidence in both her aircraft’s resilience and her piloting capabilities. Such experiences, she believes, affirm the importance of rigorous pilot training—a factor she credits for the successful emergency landing of the Singapore Airlines flight in Bangkok, despite the challenging circumstances onboard.
Henderson’s perspective, shaped by years in the cockpit, reassures passengers of the safety of air travel, even in the aftermath of rare but severe incidents like that experienced by Singapore Airlines. Her insights emphasize the critical nature of precautionary measures, such as wearing seatbelts throughout the flight, to enhance passenger safety.
This account was derived from a conversation with Emma Henderson for Business Insider, offering a deep dive into the realities of air travel and the unseen challenges pilots navigate.