BANGKOK (AP) – A tragic aviation incident occurred when a small police aircraft crashed into the sea close to the well-known beach town of Hua Hin in Thailand, resulting in the deaths of at least five individuals on board, as confirmed by officials.
The plane was reportedly conducting a test flight intended to prepare for parachute training operations in the Hua Hin district before the mishap unfolded around 8 a.m. local time. Royal Thai Police spokesperson Archayon Kraithong provided details surrounding the incident, though officials did not immediately disclose the specific model of the aircraft involved. However, images from the site suggest that the aircraft may have been a Viking DHC-6 Twin Otter, which is a popular choice for such operations.
The crash site was identified to be approximately 100 meters (330 feet) offshore from Hua Hin Airport, as indicated by the public relations department of Prachuab Kiri Khan province. Search and rescue images reveal the aircraft partly submerged in the water, with a significant portion of the fuselage appearing to be broken in two, highlighting the severity of the crash.
There were a total of six people on board the aircraft, all of whom were police officers. Initially, Archayon Kraithong reported that five individuals succumbed to injuries at the crash site, with one more officer later recorded dead at the hospital. However, this information was later revised to indicate that the death toll stands at five, with the remaining officer reportedly in critical but stable condition.
The investigation into the cause of the crash is currently underway, with Archayon confirming that officials are actively collecting evidence, including data retrieved from the aircraft's black box. This crucial step aims to uncover the details surrounding the circumstances that led to the unfortunate accident.
As the situation develops, further updates are expected as investigators continue their work to understand what went wrong during this test flight and to ensure that any necessary safety measures are implemented to prevent future tragedies.
