SilkAir Flight 185 was a scheduled passenger flight operated by SilkAir, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, using a Boeing 737-300 aircraft. The flight took off from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta, Indonesia, destined for Singapore. Approximately 14 minutes after takeoff, the aircraft rapidly descended and crashed into the Musi River. There were 97 passengers and 7 crew members on board, all of whom tragically lost their lives.

The crash site near Palembang, Indonesia, became a focus for recovery efforts and investigations. Initial findings pointed to a potential mechanical failure; however, subsequent investigations, including a significant report by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), raised concerns about the actions of the flight crew. The cockpit voice recorder indicated unusual behavior that suggested a possible deliberate act by the pilot. A series of critically reviewed reports concluded that the flight descended at an unreasonable rate, leading to suspicions surrounding the pilot's state of mind.

The incident raised serious safety concerns within the aviation industry regarding pilot training, mental health assessments, and aircraft safety protocols when managing crises. The implications of this crash led to increased scrutiny of cockpit environments and contributed to changes in regulations concerning pilot well-being.