DIY Rocket Launched into Air as Plane Flies Past

[snoop1130]

 

During a traditional rocket festival in Surin province on May 19, a homemade rocket was launched into the air just as a plane flew past. This incident underscores the need for more stringent safety measures at Thailand's rocket festivals. These events, which are popular in the northeastern part of the country in May and June, often involve numerous rocket launches.

 

Recently, the Department of Airports communicated the need for coordination in setting off rockets in aviation safety zones to avoid accidents. On May 19, photos showed a rocket shooting up into the sky near a passing airplane. There were also reports of betting at the event.

 

Video footage from the "Bun Bang Fai" rocket festival showed the first rocket being launched in front of a large crowd at a temple in the Samrong Thap District of Surin Province. The launch was announced over loudspeakers for those tracking it for gambling purposes. Participants had bought ribbons for 100 baht to enter the event and engage in open betting before each rocket launch. Loudspeaker updates provided gamblers with the details each time a rocket was launched.

 

Several planes flew over the event, adding to the risk. While a newly launched rocket soared towards a passing plane, it was announced that the aviation authorities were informed about the event's schedule and location, allowing the festival to continue uninterrupted.

 

However, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Suriya Jungrungreangkit, has stressed the need for safety. He stated that the Ministry of Transport plans to ask the Ministry of Interior to work with local and provincial authorities in areas hosting Bun Bang Fai festivals. The goal is to enforce stricter controls on rocket launches, given the potential risks to aviation safety.

 

This would require permits specifying the launch locations, timings, and sizes and broadly disseminating this information to nearby airports ahead of time. The Ministry emphasized the unpredictability of rockets and their potential risks to aircraft and public safety, as well as their potential to negatively affect Thailand's aviation and tourism reputation.

 

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), there were 155 instances of pilots spotting rockets and lanterns between 2021 and 2023.

 

File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Google

 

-- 2024-05-20

 

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[connda]

28 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

This incident underscores the need for more stringent safety measures at Thailand's rocket festivals.

Agreed.  Thai Aviation should be fully aware of the festivals an should put out a Notice To Pilots (NOTAM) regarding the hazards in the area and the dates to avoid.

But Thailand being Thailand, and seeing that the government seems to want to quash anything resembling traditional fun, they'll probably start shutting the festivals down.

 

32 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

Several planes flew over the event

Which begs the question: "How many flew over specifically to view the event?  Again: NOTAM + Aviation Enforcement. 

[Tropicalevo]

3 hours ago, connda said:

Which begs the question: "How many flew over specifically to view the event?  Again: NOTAM + Aviation Enforcement. 

In another report that I read (BP?), the festival is near an airport.  😨

Both military and civil pilots reported the rockets shortly after take off.

[Georgealbert]

Here are a couple of pictures from the event, one a rocket after launch, and 1 of a rocket with the aircraft above ir (note not my red circle). Pictures are from the facebook page of the commercial pilot that reported the incident at Ubon Ratchathani Airport.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1327480-royal-thai-air-force-pilot-dodges-festival-rocket-in-close-call/#comment-18921488

 

[Georgealbert]

11 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

In another report that I read (BP?), the festival is near an airport.  😨

Both military and civil pilots reported the rockets shortly after take off.

Think that report was about an incident that happened near Ubon Ratchathani Airport, on 16 May.

[thesetat]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Several planes flew over the event, adding to the risk. While a newly launched rocket soared towards a passing plane, it was announced that the aviation authorities were informed about the event's schedule and location, allowing the festival to continue uninterrupted.

What idiots do they have running the control towers at the airports that allow planes to fly over an event that has rockets shooting into the sky? And with prior warnings it will happen. 

[PETERTHEEATER]

If the rockets are considered to be a threat the reporting aircraft are flying very low.

[Maybole]

NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen)are issued for the guidance of pilots.Unfortunately  I have known many pilots who have expressed surprise, even outrage at an unexpected encounter and when the Notam has been pointed out to him admitted he had not read it.

In my experience, many pilots treat a NOTAMed restriction as a nuisance.