A Thai military aircraft crashed in a forested region of Chiang Mai province in northern Thailand on Thursday morning during a routine training exercise, claiming the lives of the two pilots on board, according to an official statement from the air force.
Details of the Fatal Training Incident
Air force spokesman Jackkrit Thammanvichai confirmed the tragic accident, stating, "Two pilots died in an aircraft accident involving a light attack aircraft AT-6TH this morning during training." The two-seater plane went down at approximately 10:20 am local time (0320 GMT) while conducting a combat search and rescue training mission.
Investigation and Immediate Response
Authorities have swiftly deployed teams to the crash site to investigate the cause of the incident. In a reassuring note, the air force emphasized that the crash did not affect local residents or cause damage to civilian property, alleviating concerns about broader safety impacts in the area.
Context of Previous Aviation Accidents
This incident follows a separate aviation tragedy in Thailand last April, where six police officers lost their lives when a small plane crashed into the sea during a parachute training drill near a resort town south of Bangkok. Such events highlight ongoing challenges in military and police aviation training protocols.
The crash underscores the risks associated with military training operations and has prompted renewed scrutiny of safety measures within Thailand's armed forces. As investigations proceed, the focus remains on determining the precise factors that led to this fatal mishap.
