Two RTAF Pilots Killed In Chiang Mai Training Flight Crash

BANGKOK, Jan 29 (Bernama) -- Two Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) pilots were killed on Thursday when a light attack aircraft crashed during a training mission in Thailand’s northern province of Chiang Mai.

The two-seat AT-6TH aircraft was conducting a routine training exercise when it went down in a forested area in Ban Huai Fang, Chom Thong district at about 10.20 am local time.

RTAF spokesperson Air Marshal Chakrit Thammavichai said the aircraft, from Squadron 411 of Wing 41, was carrying out a Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) training flight in a designated RTAF training area when the accident occurred.

He said the crash site was located in Chom Thong district, about 60 kilometres from Chiang Mai International Airport.

“As a result of the incident, two pilots were killed in the line of duty. The accident did not affect local residents or cause damage to civilian property in the surrounding area,” he said in a statement posted on the RTAF’s official Facebook page.

Following the incident, Royal Thai Air Force Commander-in-Chief Air Chief Marshal Seksan Kantha ordered relevant units to immediately secure and control the crash site, he said.

He added that Seksan had also assigned the RTAF Aircraft Accident Investigation Committee to conduct a thorough and detailed investigation, in strict compliance with aviation regulations and safety standards, to determine the cause of the crash.

Expressing the RTAF’s deepest condolences to the fallen pilots’ families and  honouring their dedication, sacrifice and service to the nation, Chakrit said the air force will provide full assistance and support to the families of the deceased pilots.

-- BERNAMA