Accident Police Aircraft Crashes Into Sea Off Cha-am, Leaving Four Dead

[Surasak]

3 hours ago, JoePai said:

Could not pull out of the spin ?

How prescient!

[parallelman]

My condolences. Hope the survivor recovers quickly and may be able to answer the key questions.

[ChrisY1]

Just took off from Hua Hin...no time for gaining altitude I think....

[JoePai]

32 minutes ago, Surasak said:

How prescient!

Well that's what it looks like but the question is why not - the engines seem to sound ok so should have been able to pull out of it so something else stopped that?

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE

Full Investigation Ordered into Incident

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

The National Police Chief has ordered a full investigation into the fatal crash of a police aircraft off the coast of Hua Hin, which claimed the lives of five police officers and left one more in critical condition. Early reports indicate the aircraft veered sharply to the right before plunging into the sea.

 

The incident occurred near Bo Fai Airport in Hua Hin District, Prachuap Khiri Khan province, during a routine flight on the morning of 25 April. The aircraft, operated by the Royal Thai Police Aviation Division, had successfully passed all ground checks and showed no signs of malfunction before take-off.

 

Pol. Gen. Kittirat Phanpet, Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, visited the crash site personally and confirmed that the aircraft appeared to lift off normally but travelled only a short distance, about 100 metres from the shoreline, before it suddenly banked to the right and crashed into the sea.

 

“The ground checks showed no irregularities. However, shortly after take-off, the aircraft tilted unnaturally before falling into the sea. A formal aviation investigation is underway to determine the exact cause,” Gen. Kittirat said. He added that the inquiry, being handled by the police aviation unit, is expected to take around 15 days.

 

Although the exact reason for the crash is still unknown, early evidence suggests a critical issue may have developed during the take-off phase. Gen. Kittirat assured that standard legal autopsies would be conducted, but stressed that the cause of death in each case was already apparent due to the nature of the crash.

 

The police chief also stated that the Royal Thai Police will closely coordinate with the families of the victims throughout the investigation process. The force will host religious rites on behalf of the deceased for one to two nights.

 

“All five officers are considered to have died in the line of duty, as they were operating under official orders to test the aircraft. They will receive full benefits and honours according to official policy,” Gen. Kittirat confirmed.

 

The crash has cast a sombre shadow over the police aviation division, and the Royal Thai Police have pledged transparency and diligence in uncovering the cause of the incident.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khoasod 2025-04-25.

 

 

 

[impulse]

Sad story, all around.  My condolences to the ones they left behind.

 

Last week, I had lunch with a Canuk buddy in BKK and we talked about tariffs and other things.  Walking away, I realized I forgot to ask him whether DeHavilland is still making planes because I have very fond memories of flying (as a passenger) in Twin Otters in Alaska.  Looks like they're still making several models, the Twin Otter being one of them.

 

 

 

[connda]

That puppy stalled big time.

[Mike_Hunt]

Engine failure then a stall? 

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Pilot Dies After Police Aircraft Crash Near Hua Hin

 

Royal Thai Police pilot, Police Lieutenant Colonel Chaturong Watthanapraisarn, has succumbed to his injuries following the  aircraft crash earlier today. The police aircraft crashed into the sea near Bo Fai Airport in Hua Hin district, Prachuap Khiri Khan province.

 

Doctors confirmed that the pilot had suffered multiple severe injuries, including fractures to the right foot, ankle, shin and arm, along with internal trauma. He remained unconscious and required urgent surgical intervention to control internal bleeding in the abdominal cavity.

 

Despite doctors’ best efforts, Chaturong passed away at 15:58 while undergoing emergency surgery. This brings the total number of fatalities in the incident to six.

 

The Royal Thai Police had earlier called for blood donations of type O in an attempt to stabilise the officer’s condition. National Police Chief General Torsak Sukwimon had also confirmed that Chaturong was an experienced pilot.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khoasod 2025-04-25.

 

 

 

 

 

[NORDO]

Many PIC hours in the Tw-otter.  Alaska, Canada, Africa, Patrolling South Pacific.  This has to be a control issue to spin in at that angle or a load shift leading to dynamic wing  stall.   I flown the Tw-otter empty point to point with one engine caged and prop feathered.   One of the safest aircraft ever built.

[Randy99]

They need to look at elevator control cables which have been a problem on the Twin Otter in the past.  Aircraft Maint. Engineer, 40 years experience and endorsed on the Twin Otter

[newbee2022]

4 hours ago, Baba Naba said:

Hmmm... Why in the water? They could not attempt a beach landing?

100m to the airstrip only

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Police Aircraft Crash: Wreckage Pulled Ashore

 

Picture courtesy of Khoasod.

 

Authorities have successfully hauled ashore the wreckage of a police aircraft that crashed into the sea approximately 150 metres from the coast near the border between Cha-am district in Phetchaburi province and Hua Hin Airport in Prachuap Khiri Khan province.

 

Rescue and recovery operations were carried out under increasing pressure as the tide began to rise during the afternoon. At around 16:00 recovery teams began towing the fuselage to the shoreline using heavy-duty winch equipment. A 30-tonne crane was used in conjunction with high-tension slings to carefully drag the aircraft across the shallow surf, with a secondary six-wheel support vehicle deployed to prevent the tow truck from slipping on the wet sand.

 

A 50-tonne trailer was also positioned nearby in preparation for moving the aircraft to a secure location for further forensic investigation and evidence collection.

Earlier, officials had retrieved smaller debris and components that had broken off during the crash and were floating in the water. Patrol vessel 527 and Marine Police officers were on site to secure the area during the delicate operation.

 

Officials warned that it is still unclear how long it will take to safely lift the wreckage onto a trailer and transport it for examination.

 

Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the crash.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khoasod 2025-04-25.

 

 

 

[Nid_Noi]

2 hours ago, NORDO said:

Many PIC hours in the Tw-otter.  Alaska, Canada, Africa, Patrolling South Pacific.  This has to be a control issue to spin in at that angle or a load shift leading to dynamic wing  stall.   I flown the Tw-otter empty point to point with one engine caged and prop feathered.   One of the safest aircraft ever built.

Frequent flyer in the Twin Otter and pic hours in single turboprop (Beaver, Turbo-Porter and Husky). Agree with you.
With only 6 souls on board the load would have been easily handled with one single operating engine as long as CG was within limits.

The 3 aircrafts operated by the RTP were fairly new (2017-2018) and have been ferried from California to Thailand in 2020 with no technical problems ( unless Thai mechanics have not followed the proper maintenance schedule after delivery).

I doubt the PT6A-27 engine failed unless done by pilot’s error (fuel starvation or propeller accidental reversion).

Another option is improper trim settings especially the elevator trim tab which is crucial. 
Strangely very similar accident as the Air Moorea DHC-6 in August 2007 “loss of pitch control after an elevator cable snapped” at 300ft.

 

[Captain Flack]

Reported posts making unsubstantiated trolling claims removed.

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Plane Wreckage Successfully Lifted Off Beach

 

Pictures from responders.

 

A crane successfully lifted the wreckage of the police aircraft from beach, near the Hua Hin Air Force Welfare Housing at 19:00 on 25 April. The wreckage is expected to be moved to a secure location and carefully examined as part of the official investigation into the incident. 

 

Authorities are also awaiting the arrival of team of Canadian experts, who will assist in the joint analysis of the planes recorded data, to support efforts to determine the exact cause of the crash.

 

 

The National Police Chief has paid tribute to the officers for their dedication and service. The Royal Thai Police announced that the National Police Office had reviewed the officers’ contributions and decided to posthumously promote them and provide financial benefits to their families:

 

1. Pol. Col. Prathan Kiewkham (Class of 54, pilot trainee) will be posthumously promoted to Pol. Gen. with a financial benefit of 2,684,910 THB and a salary increase of 4 steps.

 

2. Pol. Lt. Col. Panthep Manee-wachirangkoon (Class of 63, pilot) will be posthumously promoted to Pol. Lt. Gen. with a financial benefit of 1,837,500 THB and a salary increase of 4 steps.

 

3. Pol. Lt. Jaturong Watthanaprayasan (pilot) will be posthumously promoted to Pol. Lt. Col. with a financial benefit of 664,320 THB and a salary increase of 4 steps.

 

4. Pol Lt. Thannawat Mekprasertsuk (aircraft engineer) will be posthumously promoted to Pol. Lt. Col. with a financial benefit of 377,960 THB and a salary increase of 4 steps.

 

5. Pol. Sgt. Maj. Chiratwat Maksa-ka (mechanic) will be posthumously promoted to Pol. Lt. with a financial benefit of 303,040 THB and a salary increase of 4 steps.

 

6. Pol. Sgt. Phawat Phonhongsa (mechanic) will be posthumously promoted to Pol. Lt. with a financial benefit of 1,182,680 THB and a salary increase of 4 steps.

 

The bodies of the deceased officers were examined at Hua Hin Hospital, with the autopsies completed by 29:00 on 25 April. The remains will be transferred to the Institute of Forensic Medicine at the Police General Hospital for further procedures.

 

On 26 April, a royal water ceremony will be held for the deceased at Wat Trithodthep, followed by a one-night prayer service. The families will also hold the final rites and cremation ceremony at a later date.

 

Procession carrying the bodies of the six police officers as it left Hua Hin Hospital and headed to Wat Tri Thotsathep Worawihan in Bangkok for religious ceremonies.

 

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-04-26.

 

 

 

[parallelman]

17 hours ago, parallelman said:

My condolences. Hope the survivor recovers quickly and may be able to answer the key questions.

Sadly, died later yesterday in hospital.

[BKKBike09]

3 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Authorities are also awaiting the arrival of team of Canadian experts, who will assist in the joint analysis of the planes recorded data, to support efforts to determine the exact cause of the crash.

 

Good news. Should lead to a report by Canadian TSB, even if nothing much comes out here.

 

I see that the most senior officer on board is now described as 'pilot trainee': no inference or judgment here but will be interesting to find out from investigation who was PIC / PF / PM [Pilot In Charge / Pilot Flying / Pilot Monitoring] etc.  

[Baba Naba]

19 hours ago, josephbloggs said:

Ok, fair enough. Just so often people here make judgements based on a headline and without reading the article...

I hear ya Joe! I see that all the time. Burns me up too. I love doing research before shooting my mouth off. 😁 I actually was trying to find photos or vids but they were not posted yet....

[Georgealbert]

2 minutes ago, Baba Naba said:

I hear ya Joe! I see that all the time. Burns me up too. I love doing research before shooting my mouth off. 😁 I actually was trying to find photos or vids but they were not posted yet....

Total nonsense, the video and picture were posted long before your comment.

 

How do I know, because it they were my posts and the timings on the posts are also a give away.

[Baba Naba]

19 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Sorry, but the update, showing the picture of the aircraft and the video was posted over two and a half hours before your comment.

I did not go back to re-read what I had already seen when I commented much later. Or I possibly may have missed the update because I thought that I had read the whole story. The lay out can be confusing. So yeah Sherlock, I could have screwed up and missed it. Happy now George? 

[Captain Flack]

Troll post breaking forum rules has been removed @Baba Naba

[impulse]

18 hours ago, Randy99 said:

They need to look at elevator control cables which have been a problem on the Twin Otter in the past.  Aircraft Maint. Engineer, 40 years experience and endorsed on the Twin Otter

 

Is that the case on a 6-1/2 year old aircraft?  And does operating in a salty environment accelerate it?

 

Just curious...

 

[chilli42]

21 hours ago, ChrisY1 said:

Twin Otters are generally the work horses of mountainous regions.....they do glide...depending on altitude of course

You are right of course. I looked up the glide angle tables for that specific model and assumed no major weather/wind and the glide angle is approximately 45 degrees almost regardless of altitude.

[smew]

Maintenance and no maintenance… RIP.. mechanic also perished

[steven100]

On 4/25/2025 at 1:06 PM, factual monk said:

R.I.P... deep condolences 🙏 

hm..

[metisdead]

A post with insensitive trolling comments and a reply has been removed. 

[Tord55]

On 4/25/2025 at 1:18 PM, chilli42 said:

I am not a pilot so no judgement here. I thought these small propeller-driven planes had a large amount of glide factor. Such that they could at least make a horizontal landing. This plane is going down at 90 degrees. Now I will have to find some other myth to console myself when flying in small aircraft.

Aircraft with long, thin wings, like modern jet airliners, have a fantastic glide ratio, while aircraft with stubby wings do not have such an amazing glide ratio.

 

If the connections between the elevator and the pilot/s fail, things go bad quickly. If you fly too slow, the wing stalls, and you need hundreds of feet at least to recover, many planes need thousands (like the famed PC-12). Many single-engined aircraft go into a spin or a death spiral (not the same thing), while twins are sometimes more resistant, but can go into a flat spin, a very dangerous situation. If one engine fails while flying slowly, you're in deep <deleted> sitting in a twin, while if you are in a single-engined aircraft you dive to regain speed and try to find a nice landing spot straight ahead.

 

Twins, like the aircraft in question, are more draggy than their single-engined version, due to the fact that the frontal area is much bigger (unless the engines are buried body or the wing), and an Otter is by design quite draggy, so adding an engine (creating a Twin-Otter) does not help when the engines stop; rather, the reverse.

 

Recently, a low-drag twin in the USA crashed after something had happened to its rudder (the NTSB will know two years from now). This was a test flight, like the twin-Otter's (mentioned above), but it had three generations of a pilot family onboard, all very qualified pilots (tens of thousands of hours as PIC). Just seconds after take-off, the rudder was locked hard left, so the PIC throttled down the right engine, trying to compensate for the roll and involuntary turn to the left (plus adding full right ailerons) after ten circles, or so, around the airfield, at slightly over tree-top height, till they crashed, killing all three onboard in a fiery crash.

 

Yours,

Tord

former glider pilot, ex-SwAF, and amateur aerodynamicist.

 

PS I have heard it flying over our house in Hua Hin a few times, the engines sounding just fine.

[Montnoveau]

On 4/25/2025 at 7:21 AM, JoePai said:

Could not pull out of the spin ?

No, not from that altitude.

[gk10012001]

Reports say the aircraft had significant modifications before this flight which included stick and control surfaces.  Video seems to show the aircraft had no control surface deflections.  If it had done a low speed stall, it is not unreasonable to go nose down and pick up some speed and recover, but I don't think I see anything happening in the way of recovery.  The aircraft performance sheet listed a stall speed of 65 mph.    Three pilots on board what seems to have been a maintenance check out flight.  Maybe inexperienced pilot was at the controls and just didn't know what to do.  I personally, being an engineer and ex Air Force Captain in the aviation industry for decades and having been to Thailand over a dozen times, suspect the maintenance work and the follow up inspection and sign off process.