Accident Helicopter Crash in Prachuap Khiri Khan

[chuang]

I thought brake failure...

[BKKBike09]

On 5/29/2025 at 3:59 AM, Georgealbert said:

According to the investigation, the crash occurred when the helicopter’s main rotor malfunctioned, resulting in one of the blades severing the tail rotor. This caused the aircraft to lose stability and spin out of control, ultimately leading to a violent crash. Officials stressed that the incident was not the result of pilot error or negligence.

 

Rotor striking the tail boom sounds like possible low-G mast bump / blade flap; maybe instinctive input of hard aft cyclic to counter sudden nose down pitch caused by wind shear or other strong turbulence? The weather last week or so has not been great.

 

 

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Loose Bolts Blamed for Fatal Bell 212 Helicopter Crash

 

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

 

Initial investigations into the recent crash of a Bell 212 police helicopter in Prachuap Khiri Khan province have revealed that two critical bolts had come loose, leading to a catastrophic loss of control and the severing of the tail section, senior police officials confirmed on 30 May.

 

Pol. Gen. Thatchai Pitanilabut, the Inspector-General of the Royal Thai Police, chaired an emergency meeting at the Police Aviation Division in Bangkok. The session was attended by deputy inspector-general Pol. Lt. Gen. Itthiphon Atchariyapradit, aviation division commander Pol. Maj. Gen. Amnat Detboonluang and relevant technical and flight personnel. The meeting was convened following the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of a pilot and two engineers.

 

The wreckage of the helicopter, which had been recovered from the crash site, was transported to the aviation division for forensic inspection. Pol. Gen. Thatchai said the investigation had been prioritised by the national police chief, Pol. Gen. Kittirat Phanphet, who had tasked him with identifying the cause without delay.

 

Preliminary Findings: Two Missing Bolts

 

Speaking after the inspection, Pol. Gen. Thatchai confirmed the initial findings: “The tail rotor lost stability due to two bolts detaching from the rear rotor assembly. This caused the rotor to lose control and ultimately severed the tail section of the aircraft, which is responsible for directional control.”

 

He stressed that while these findings are preliminary, the incident points to either a mechanical fault or a maintenance failure. The detached bolts, still within their operational lifespan with more than 600 hours of use remaining, are now a focus of the investigation.

 

Thai Airways International is under contract to perform major maintenance for police aircraft, while minor repairs are handled internally by the Royal Thai Police. Investigators are working to determine whether the failure originated during manufacturing or during recent repairs and whether the parts used met the necessary quality standards.

 

“We cannot yet conclude whether the fault lies with the manufacturer, maintenance procedures or material quality. But we will find answers. This incident will have consequences, both criminal and civil,” said Thatchai. He added that the process will involve scrutiny of procurement budgets, repair authorisations and potential negligence.

 

In response to speculation that the helicopter had previously been serviced by the Royal Thai Air Force, Pol. Gen. Thatchai said there was no evidence of this so far. “This investigation is grounded in science, with physical evidence and documentation. We must await the facts. This is not a witch hunt, but accountability is paramount. I assure the public, there will be no cover-up.”

 

Pol. Maj. Gen. Amnat Detboonluang, commander of the Police Aviation Division, underscored the seriousness of the incident, noting that two police aviation accidents had occurred within just 30 days. “The safety of our aircraft and the lives of our pilots are of the highest importance. No one wants accidents like this to happen,” he said.

 

Regarding the national police chief’s scheduled visit to Thong Pha Phum in Kanchanaburi province on 31 May, Amnat confirmed that a Eurocopter would be used for the journey instead of another Bell 212, to ensure additional precautions. “All our aircraft are technically safe to operate, but we will only fly after thorough inspections.”

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-05-31.

 

 

 

 

[ChrisY1]

Looking at the past pictures...it almost seems the only part recognizable is the tail rotor, hence maybe the reason given.....the pile of molten aluminum on the ground likely wouldn't have determined much at all. 

[JoePai]

points to either a mechanical fault or a maintenance failure

 

The latter !!

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Four Officers Transferred Amid Helicopter Crash Investigation

 

Picture courtesy of Amarin.

 

The national police chief, Police General Kittirat Panpetch, has transferred four officers from the Royal Thai Police Aviation Division to inactive posts at the Royal Thai Police Operations Centre following two fatal crashes in the past month.

 

The decision comes after preliminary findings from an ongoing investigation into the crashes on 25 April and 24 May, which claimed the lives of several police officers. The crashes occurred within a month of each other, raising widespread public concern and scrutiny of aviation safety standards within the force.

 

Effective from 30 May, the officers transferred include:

 

• Police Major General Amnat Detboonluang, Commander of the Police Aviation Division

 

• Police Colonel Danchai Phimsarn, Deputy Commander of the Police Aviation Division

 

• Police Colonel Pichaisak Phanyopon, Senior Aircraft Mechanic Specialist

 

• Police Lieutenant Colonel Suthep Wongkuan, Aircraft Mechanic (Level 2)

 

All four are now assigned to special duties at the Police Operations Centre, with immediate effect and removed from their original posts. The transfers were made under Section 63 and Section 105 of the National Police Act 2022 and relevant police regulations regarding temporary reassignments.

 

The transfers follow initial conclusions from the Police Inspector General’s inquiry, suggesting mechanical failure in the 24 May crash. Investigators believe the tail rotor assembly may have detached after being struck by the main rotor blades, possibly due to two missing bolts, resulting in loss of control and stability of the aircraft.

 

Police General Kittirat also appointed Police Colonel Narong Iamsom, current Deputy Commander of the Aviation Division, to serve as Acting Commander to ensure operational continuity.

 

The official statement noted that there is reason to suspect negligence or underperformance among those responsible for aircraft maintenance and safety. The Royal Thai Police stressed the need for a transparent, effective and fair investigation to maintain public confidence and prevent further damage to the organisation’s reputation.

 

The incidents have prompted significant attention on social media and within the broader public, leading to calls for accountability and systemic reform in police aviation maintenance protocols.

 

The investigation remains ongoing, with further technical analysis being conducted to determine the exact cause of the crashes.

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Amarin 2025-06-01.