Thailand: Fighter jet crashes during Children’s Day airshow, pilot killed
By Asian Correspondent Staff | 14th January 2017 | @ascorrespondent
(File) Three Saab JAS-39 Gripen aircraft of the Hungarian Air Force during an exercise in 2016. Source: Sandor Ujvari/MTI via AP
A GRIPEN fighter jet crashed on a runway during an airshow for Children’s Day in Hat Yai, Songkhla province, Saturday morning, forcing a temporary closure of the airport.
According to local media reports, the pilot identified as Sqn Ldr Dilokrit Pattavee was killed during the 9.27am incident.
Videos filmed and posted online show onlookers during the celebration watching as the jet neared the runway for what was reportedly meant to be a stunt maneuver.
The jet said to be a Swedish-made 39C Gripen, however, nosedived after a flip and crashed into the ground in the distance.
[Video] A Royal Thai Airforce (RTAF) Gripen aircraft has crashed nearby the Hatyai International Airport this morning pic.twitter.com/bJyZSu4fNA
— BERNAMA (@bernamadotcom) January 14, 2017
Bangkok Post reported other local media as claiming an hour later that the fire engine heading to the crash overturned while on the way to put out the fire, forcing authorities to temporarily shutter the Hat Yai airport.
Following the closure, commercial flights were diverted to the nearby Krabi airport, while outbound flights were delayed. The airport is expected to be reopened by afternoon.
Bangkok Post quoted air force spokesman Pongsak Semachai as saying that a committee will be set up to investigate the incident.
According to the daily, the Royal Thai Air Force urged the public to respect the victim’s family as well as other affected parties.
Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha offered his condolences to the family of the deceased.