Flight OG269: At Least 88 Bodies Found At Phuket Airport Crash Site

[Jai Dee]

Injured Australian passenger thanked wounded Thai passenger who saved his life

Mr. Paiboon Paphan, a Thai survivor from the plane crash, whose spine was injured, was brought on a wheelchair to visit an Australian survivor and tourist, Mr. Robert Borland, who he saved after the crash. Being treated at the Bangkok Phuket Hospital Robert suffered broken bones and burns, but he requested to see Mr. Paiboon to thank him for saving his life.

After the crash caused fire flames, Mr. Paiboon pulled Mr. Borland out of the plane wreckage. At that time, Mr. Borland only knew it was a man in yellow. Mr. Paiboon said he was proud to help save someone’s life and that it has been reported worldwide that a man in yellow saved a foreign tourist. He said he wore yellow in honor of His Majesty the King of Thailand.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 21 September 2007

[peter991]

One-Two-Go to negotiate higher compensation claims for families

Low cost carrier One-Two-Go has announced it will be pursuing a higher compensation claim, than the current USD130,000, for families of victims on board the fatal OG269 service.

The carrier has expressed it’s regrets for the accident, which occurred in bad weather conditions, and is actively pursuing a high compensation claim with its insurer in the hopes of lifting the figure up to USD150,000 for families of deceased victims.

Udom Tantiprasongchai, the Chairman of One-Two-Go had previously announced, “If I must sell all my assets to compensate every victim, I am ready to do so.”

One-Two-Go has also promised each family USD2,900 for funeral costs, and all survivors medical expenses, out of its own pocket. An undisclosed payout will also be handed to survivors.

One-Two-Go resumed normal services on Wednesday, including the Bangkok(DMK)–Phuket(HKT) service.

Victims difficult to identify

The airline has declared the death toll at 35 Thais and 54 foreigners. Unfortunately due to burns, the bodies have been difficult to identify.

While all 89 of the deceased have been named, 33 foreign nationals remain officially unidentified. A 50-strong team continue to perform tests, such as DNA testing and dental matching, to gain more information.

The current international forensic operation is the largest seen in Phuket since the 2004 tsunami post-operations, and once again is made up of an global community of experts from countries such as Australia and Israel.

All Thai nationals have been identified, said One-Two-Go.

[NBT TV Phuket]

MiniVDO: The Israeli Embassy spokesperson thanks the Thai authority for assistance after the plane crash.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://www.thaisnews.com/news_detail.php?newsid=214817

Officials from the Israeli Embassy in Thailand gathered to perform ritual ceremonies and pay respect to three bodies of Israeli nationals who were killed in Sunday’s air crash, before the bodies were taken to Bangkok by air. The bodies were then due to be sent on to Israel at midnight last night. Yesterday all eight Israeli bodies were identified and repatriated. Mr Lior Weintraub, a spokesperson for the Embassy, stated that he received good cooperation from the Thai officials and expressed thanks to the Thai authorities for their fast assistance. Mr Weintraub is certain that many Israelis will still travel to Phuket for holidays, as he summed up for us:

MiniVDO: 26 passengers from Sunday’s plane crash are now being treated at hospital in Phuket while Phuket International Airport returns to normal.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://www.thaisnews.com/news_detail.php?newsid=214816

Most of the patients injured from Sunday’s air crash are making good progress with 10 discharged from hospital. Among them one is Thai and nine are foreign. 29 are still currently being hospitalized with one at Wachira Phuket, seven at Phuket International Hospital and 18 at Bangkok Phuket Hospital. The Dutch patient previously treated in the ICU of Phuket International hospital is reported to be recovering well and moved to a normal ward while the condition of severely injured patients at Bangkok Phuket hospital also improved. The British patient who had been transferred from Bangkok Hospital Phuket is reported to be hospitalized in Bangkok awaiting to be sent home for treatment.

MiniVDO: Most Thai families have received 100,000 baht for funeral arrangements, while no foreign families have yet claimed the funds.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://www.thaisnews.com/news_detail.php?newsid=214815

On the fourth day after the tragic plane accident the office of Phuket International Airport still has families of victims, who came to collect the 1000,000 baht funds for funeral arrangements. Yesterday afternoon, a father of Supaluck Cheu-iew, made a trip from Phang Nga to collect a cheques. He told reporters that he was satisfied with the fund aid, but thinks procedure involved police documents can be improved. On the One Two Go Airline’s side, Chairman Mr Udom Tantiprasongchai, said most of the Thai families have collected the funds, while they haven’t had any contacts from foreign families. The company has informed their Embassies about the matter. As for compensation, Mr Udom said that his company proposed to the insurance company that victims should be compensated around 5.2 million baht each. As for foreign bodies, fourteen have been repatriated as of 5pm yesterday, leaving 42 remaining in refrigerated containers. Among the latest bodies released were three Israeli, three American, one Canadian and one French.

Special - Phuket International Airport atmosphere active again with planes and passengers

To see or download mini-video, go to http://www.thaisnews.com/news_detail.php?newsid=214814

Despite the tragic air accident on Sunday being another shocking experience for the world, air travel is still favourable for passengers. It is also hoped it will not greatly affect local tourism .

The check in counter for the One-Two-Go Airline at the Phuket International Airport was busy again right after the airport re-opened for service at around 5 pm the next day or just 26 hours after the plane crash. Once it re-opened the airport was flocked by passengers from many airlines as if nothing happened as travel by plane is so necessary for long haul journies. These two adults and young Australian travelers were prepared to travel again by plane. One said she was not concerned as she understood what happened was just an accident.

On the airport administration’s side, the Phuket Airport Director Squadron Leader Pornchai Aue –Aree stated that right after the opening 106 flights confirmed their requests for landing and taking off. The Phuket Airport has a capacity to accommodate a maximum of 114 flights per day (the Airport of Thailand management say up to 10 per hour), is open 24 hours a day, and it is the second biggest & busiest airport after Bangkok. But Pornchai earlier told us they would like to spread the demand from airlines to more off-peak hours and avoid rush hours or bunching, and were considering adjusting the landing fees to encourage the airlines and reduce pressure on their staff including Immigration, Customs and of course Air Traffic Control or AeroThai staff. The latest figures for traffic numbers up to end of August show a 34.77% increase in flights this year compared to last year, and 23.76% increase in passengers, both in and out.

On the tourism side the Deputy Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand Ranjuan Thongrut said so far there has only been one group cancellation of Chinese with 50 people while other foreign bookings remain unchanged as they understand that it was an accident. The Japanese in particular are still going ahead with their Walk and Run activity planned for September 29-30th in Phuket. The same views were confirmed by two hotel personnel in Patong. The Sales Manager of Phuket Graceland Resort and Spa khun Mekin thinks the accident would only have a small immediate impact, but he believes that this high season will be active with airplane travelers. The General Manager of Club Andaman Beach Resort Adison Sitthiwong also said the accident should not affect tourism as he has been talking with many agents and their clients all agreed that it was just an accident.

All original stories from Andaman News TV11 (VHF dial) 8.30am + maybe FM90.5 Radio Thailand 6pm, both broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, FM108 Mazz Radio 7.30pm in Phuket & Phuket Cable TV Channel 1 at 7, 10.30 or 11pm, Friday 21 September 2007 & www.Thaisnews.com

[JetsetBkk]

Anyone else see this, a scotsman went to the hospital at the same time as the crash and was accidently listed as a passenger, read on ,but im asking myself at a critical time like that he wuldnt tell anyone why ! there are some odd people about

I read somewhere that he was taking pictures of the injured to sell to news agencies. Can't find a link or confirm though, so maybe not the case. Let's give him the benefit of the doubt.

[Jai Dee]

Black boxes from crash to be sent to US

Department of Civil Aviation will send black boxes of the ill-fated One-Two-Go plane that crashed in Phuket to the United States on Friday so information can be extracted in order to find the cause of the Sunday's crash.

Department of Civil Aviation chief Chaisak Angsuwan said the extraction will take about a week.

More from the Bangkok Post here.

[Crossy]

Black boxes from crash to be sent to US

Department of Civil Aviation will send black boxes of the ill-fated One-Two-Go plane that crashed in Phuket to the United States on Friday so information can be extracted in order to find the cause of the Sunday's crash.

Department of Civil Aviation chief Chaisak Angsuwan said the extraction will take about a week.

More from the Bangkok Post here.

Hmmm, I thought they said they were going to send the boxes to the NTSB on monday, as soon as they were located. If they had we would have information by mid next week.

After that, information will be forwarded to a committee investigating air crash, which will be chaired by permanent secretary of Transport Ministry, to verify the information.

Mr Chaisak said information will be revealed to public briefly, adding that detailed information will not be made public as they do not want to point their finger to the one responsible for the crash.

Pardon me if I seem cynical but the Permanent Secretary is going to 'verify' the findings of the world's most respected crash investigation organisation??

No detailed information to go public. Not going to point the finger eh? Sounds like the start of a typically Thai cover up.

Edited September 21, 2007 by Crossy

[Mid]

Sounds like the start of a typically Thai cover up.

started the instant the plane failed to land ..............................

[Jai Dee]

Civil Aviation Department prepares to send black box to US for data extraction

The Department of Civil Aviation is preparing to send the black box of Flight 269 to the United States in order to extract recorded data to be used in investigation into the cause of the aircraft's accident.

The Director General of the Department of Civil Aviation, Mr. Chaisak Angsuwan (ชัยศักดิ์ อังสุวรรณ ), revealed that officials from his agency will transport the black box of One Two Go Airlines Flight 269 which crashed in Phuket International Airport to the United States in order to extract recorded information in the device. The process is expected to require 1 week, after which a committee headed by the Permanent Secretary of Transport will be analyzing the data in order to determine the cause of Flight 269's crash. Mr. Chaisak affirms that investigators will report on their findings to the public.

The Director General of the Department of Civil Aviation added that the Ministry of Transport will be discussing safety regulations with relevant agencies and organizations including Thai Airways International, the Aeronautical Radio of Thailand company, the Thai Pilots Association, and the Civil Aviation Training Center in order to elevate Thailand's civil aviation safety standards.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 21 September 2007

[Jai Dee]

AOT may install runway surveillance cameras at 6 airports

An Airport of Thailand meeting hosted by Deputy Army Commander in Chief Gen. Saprang Kalayanimit (พล.อ.สพรั่ง กัลยาณมิตร) has resulted in the decision to allow additional installation of surveillance cameras at 6 airports.

The Interim Managing Director of the Airport of Thailand Company, Mrs. Kalaya Phakagrong ( นางกัลยา ผกากรอง), reports that an AOT board meeting has resulted in authorization for the installation of additional surveillance cameras at AOT airports in order to assist officials in determining the cause of aviation accident in the future. The Airport of Thailand board has also approved the allocation of additional emergency equipment in order to properly assist passengers in the event of an accident.

In the future AOT officials will be using surveillance camera footages to determine whether ground personnel are compliant with safety procedures and to evaluate their readiness in handling emergency situations. Cameras will also be installed near runways to observe the takeoff and landing of aircrafts. 6 airports which may receive new surveillance cameras include Suvarnabhumi, Don Muang, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Hat Yai. AOT officials will first evaluate their budget in order to determine how many cameras can be purchased.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 21 September 2007

[Mid]

^

all well and good ,

though there's no mention of repairing the existing BROKEN equipment ........................

[keemapoot]

I wonder if those cameras will somehow end up being "out of order" on any future incident?

[Mid]

One-Two-Go black box flies to US tonight

Fri, September 21, 2007 : Last updated 15:48 hours

Civil Aviation Department Director General Chaisak Angsuwan said on Friday that the black box from the crashed One-Two-Go aircraft would be shipped to the US tonight, expecting to get the retrieved data within a week.

He said that once the data is available, it would be forwarded to an investigative committee chaired by Transport Permanent Secretary Chaisawat Kittipornpaiboon. Then, the committee would give a summary of the accident without revealing the details of the conversation between the pilot and the air controller.

"Whatever, the result has no influence on the compensations hat insurers need to pay to the passengers who got killed or injured in the accident," Chaisak said.

On the suggestion by Saprang Kalayanamitr, chairman of Airports of Thailand, that closed-circuit TV should be installed at airports, Chaisak said personally he believed that the installation was unnecessary.

"This is the first accident in 40 years at Phuket International Airport. But if (the installation) can offer some comfort, it can be done," he said.

- The Nation

nationmultimedia.com

[baabaabobo]

AOT may install runway surveillance cameras at 6 airports

An Airport of Thailand meeting hosted by Deputy Army Commander in Chief Gen. Saprang Kalayanimit (พล.อ.สพรั่ง กัลยาณมิตร) has resulted in the decision to allow additional installation of surveillance cameras at 6 airports.

The Interim Managing Director of the Airport of Thailand Company, Mrs. Kalaya Phakagrong ( นางกัลยา ผกากรอง), reports that an AOT board meeting has resulted in authorization for the installation of additional surveillance cameras at AOT airports in order to assist officials in determining the cause of aviation accident in the future. The Airport of Thailand board has also approved the allocation of additional emergency equipment in order to properly assist passengers in the event of an accident.

In the future AOT officials will be using surveillance camera footages to determine whether ground personnel are compliant with safety procedures and to evaluate their readiness in handling emergency situations. Cameras will also be installed near runways to observe the takeoff and landing of aircrafts. 6 airports which may receive new surveillance cameras include Suvarnabhumi, Don Muang, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Hat Yai. AOT officials will first evaluate their budget in order to determine how many cameras can be purchased.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 21 September 2007

Idiom: Close the stable door after the horse has bolted

Meaning:

If people try to fix something after the problem has occurred, they are trying to close the stable door after the horse has bolted. 'Close the barn door after the horse has bolted' is alternative, often used in American English.

[sonnyJ]

How about trying to prevent the accidents?

[Jai Dee]

Israeli Embassy spokesperson thanks Thai authority for assistance after plane crash.

Officials from the Israeli Embassy to Thailand gathered to perform ritual ceremonies and pay respect to three bodies of Israeli nationals who were killed in the air crash at Phuket International Airport on September 16th, before the bodies were taken to Bangkok by air. The bodies were then due to be sent on to Israel at midnight last night. Yesterday, all eight Israeli bodies were identified and repatriated.

Mr. Lior Weintraub, a spokesperson for the Embassy, stated that he received good cooperation from the Thai officials and expressed thanks to the Thai authorities for their fast assistance. Mr. Weintraub is certain that many Israelis will still travel to Phuket for holidays, as he summed up for us.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 21 September 2007

[baboon]

How about trying to prevent the accidents?

Dont be so ridiculous!

[jeebusjones]

One-Two-Go black box flies to US tonight

Fri, September 21, 2007 : Last updated 15:48 hours

"This is the first accident in 40 years at Phuket International Airport. But if (the installation) can offer some comfort, it can be done," he said.

- The Nation

nationmultimedia.com

First accident in 40 years? <deleted> is he talking about?

From Wiki:

* 15 April 1985: A Thai Airways Boeing 737-2P5 crashed, killing all 11 people on board. The crew had issued a radio call informing air traffic control that both engines had flamed out. No cause could be determined for the engine shutdown.[1]

* 31 August 1987: Thai Airways Flight 365 crashed into the ocean on final approach, killing all 83 people on board. The investigation determined crew error as the primary cause.[2]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phuket_Airpor...s_and_accidents

The more these government officials open their mouths, the angrier I get. No one is taking this seriously at all. Why weren't the black boxes sent on Monday, as previously announced?

Edited September 21, 2007 by jeebusjones

[TAWP]

Knowledge isn't a requirement on many posts...

[chrislarsson]

One-Two-Go black box flies to US tonight

Fri, September 21, 2007 : Last updated 15:48 hours

"This is the first accident in 40 years at Phuket International Airport. But if (the installation) can offer some comfort, it can be done," he said.

- The Nation

nationmultimedia.com

First accident in 40 years? <deleted> is he talking about?

From Wiki:

* 15 April 1985: A Thai Airways Boeing 737-2P5 crashed, killing all 11 people on board. The crew had issued a radio call informing air traffic control that both engines had flamed out. No cause could be determined for the engine shutdown.[1]

* 31 August 1987: Thai Airways Flight 365 crashed into the ocean on final approach, killing all 83 people on board. The investigation determined crew error as the primary cause.[2]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phuket_Airpor...s_and_accidents

The more these government officials open their mouths, the angrier I get. No one is taking this seriously at all. Why weren't the black boxes sent on Monday, as previously announced?

Well, isn't this a question of definition? Both these accidents happened to planes where Phuket Airport was the destination, but they did not occur on the airport.

[jeebusjones]

Well, isn't this a question of definition? Both these accidents happened to planes where Phuket Airport was the destination, but they did not occur on the airport.

I'm not sure about the exact details on the first one, but it's listed as having occurred at HKT. In the second incident, in which 83 people were killed, the plane crashed into the ocean on final approach.. So yes, I'd say that one definitively occurred at HKT.

It may be a question of definition, but in my view a blanket statement that no incident had occurred in 40 years is inappropriate.

[Mid]

Well, isn't this a question of definition? Both these accidents happened to planes where Phuket Airport was the destination, but they did not occur on the airport.

bulloxs ...........

here's why crashed into the ocean on final approach

[cdnvic]

Well, isn't this a question of definition? Both these accidents happened to planes where Phuket Airport was the destination, but they did not occur on the airport.

You've learned to speak Thai remarkably well.

[Jai Dee]

Most Thai families have received 100,000 baht for funeral arrangements, while no foreign families have yet claimed the funds

On the fourth day after the tragic plane accident the office of Phuket International Airport still has families of victims, who came to collect the 1000,000 baht funds for funeral arrangements. Yesterday afternoon, a father of Supaluck Cheu-iew, made a trip from Phang Nga to collect a cheques. He told reporters that he was satisfied with the fund aid, but thinks procedure involved police documents can be improved.

On the One Two Go Airline’s side, Chairman Mr Udom Tantiprasongchai, said most of the Thai families have collected the funds, while they haven’t had any contacts from foreign families. The company has informed their Embassies about the matter. As for compensation, Mr Udom said that his company proposed to the insurance company that victims should be compensated around 5.2 million baht each.

As for foreign bodies, fourteen have been repatriated as of 5pm yesterday, leaving 42 remaining in refrigerated containers. Among the latest bodies released were three Israelis, three Americans, one Canadian, and one French.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 21 September 2007

[Ricardo]

How about trying to prevent the accidents?

Simplistic typically-farang solution, which fails to address the central problem, of how to generate maximum brown envelopes for the officials involved.

[Supaporn]

Heard from friend that 1-2-Go had another 'incident' today or yesterday at Hat Yai. Can anyone confirm or dispel the rumor? Cannot find anything in the news - which nowadays does not necessarily mean it didn't happen.

[maprao]

Heard from friend that 1-2-Go had another 'incident' today or yesterday at Hat Yai. Can anyone confirm or dispel the rumor? Cannot find anything in the news - which nowadays does not necessarily mean it didn't happen.

This is true it is todays Thai Rath "online" a very heavy landing. It has a picture taken by a passenger. Where the overhead lpanels next to lockers became detached (not opened) on landing. Thats some force! unless of course there was bad scheduled maintenance that allowed this to occur.

HERE IS the link

http://www.thairath.com/offline.php?sectio...p;content=61937

you have to be able to speak Thai though.... (edit to post link)

Edited September 22, 2007 by maprao

[mrtoad]

Well, isn't this a question of definition? Both these accidents happened to planes where Phuket Airport was the destination, but they did not occur on the airport.

You've learned to speak Thai remarkably well.

It's sad that these government beauracrats always use the same mantra - i.e. deny everything. All people want is to find out the truth, and by denying that there have been no incidents at an airport in the last 40 years, when there clearly has been, does not reassure anybody that this may end up getting covered up in the mistaken belief that it will protect the tourist industry.

[mr_hippo]

If you were driving a car from Rangsit to Silom and you had a crash at Central, Lat Phrao; where did the crash happen - Lat Phrao or Silom? If a plane is en route to HKT and crashes on the approach to HKT, where did the crash happen?

[mrtoad]

If you were driving a car from Rangsit to Silom and you had a crash at Central, Lat Phrao; where did the crash happen - Lat Phrao or Silom? If a plane is en route to HKT and crashes on the approach to HKT, where did the crash happen?

The information suggests that the plane was on final approach. Whilst I admit to having little knowledge of aviation other than sitting on planes, the use of the words "final approach: suggest close proximity to the airport. Either way, it really doesn't matter, but why come out with a clear statement that nothing has never happened when people may start to question the authenticy of the statement? My point, is that by using denial on so many things, not just on this incident harldy installs confidence in the investigation. In the end, the main thing is that I hope that the famalies of the deceased get the true answers of the cause of the crash, and not one that is convenient for business interests.

Edited September 22, 2007 by mrtoad

[mr_hippo]

"Close proximity to the airport" is not "at the airport".