Labour Government’s Bold Claim to “honesty with voters” Has Unraveled Quickly

[Supaporn]

What is noticeable from PPRUNE is not so much the reports of the incompetence of Orienthai and 1-2-Go (that could always be down to disgruntled ex-employees) BUT there has not been one single post from one single pilot who has come to their defense. It is as though their incompetence is a well known but generally unspoken fact within the industry. Quite frankly I am amazed they are still flying pending an investigation....

Disgruntled employess to be sure. I think almost all the 'professional' pilots that have left Orient Thai/1-2-Go are disgruntled. They left the airline because they either were fed up with trying to make the airline safe and run what professional people would call a normal safe airline - only to be met at all sides with an owner/CEO who was bound and determined to make it unsafe by his horrendous policies. Or they ran for their lives because they feared they would die or be involved in an accident due to shoddy maintenance. I know of at least 3 people that as they left told Udom that he was going to crash an airplane (specifically mentioning the MD82 fleet) and kill alot of people if kept it up. Were they disgruntled? YES, Udom, and his policies put thelives of friends and thousands of unknown passengers at great risk. Are they even more disgruntled? YES, those policies have now killed friends and many passengers.

I would venture to bet the only pilots that would come to the defense of the airline would be a cadre of pilots that are still there and want to keep their jobs and will do anything to do so. Which amazingly enough is what they do everyday - break rules,law, and put the public and their innocent crews at great risk in order to keep the likes of Udom from firing them. Will they speak out? And admit to their deeds - I don't think so.

The incompetence is known but the mighty Baht dealt under a table somewhere keeps it handily shelved in the regulators books. The statements that it will hurt Thailand and tourism attempt to quiet the truth....and it seems succeeds.

Aren't they governed by any international authorities? Do you mean anyone rich enough to run an airline can do whatever they like without being under supervision?

Now you know how it must work in Thailand. Surely the Thai DCA is supposed to to adhere to International standards ala ICAO and is the 'governing' body in Thailand but it certainly doesn't mean they govern properly and I know they don't. Therefore at least some of their carriers enjoy the fruits of not having to go to the expenses of keeping their organizations up to a minimal standard. Papers forged, doctored, whatever it takes.... I am sure Thailand is not alone in this process amongst all countries, but they certainly are a part of it and besides if it were known...can you imagine the impact on Thailands tourist industry??? Can't have that can we?

[Jai Dee]

Ministry of Transport expedite discussions on civil aviation safety standards

The Ministry of Transport is expediting discussions on civil aviation safety measures in Thailand.

Transport Minister Admiral Thira Haocharoen (ธีระ ห้าวเจริญ ) reports that Civil Aviation Department officials are inspecting safety regulations for all airlines in Thailand following the crash of One Two Go Airline's Flight 269 at Phuket International Airport. Admiral Thira said that officials will inspect all airlines, including low cost airlines, in order to ensure the safety of all passengers in Thailand.

The Transport Minister said that a recent incident in which a One Two Go Airlines flight conducted a hard landing at Hat Yai International Airport was not serious and is normal under some circumstances. Admiral Thira affirms that Thailand enforces international safety standards. The Transport Minister added that relevant civil aviation agencies will be holding a meeting on September 27 in order to discuss safety measures.

He added that all possible aid is being expedited for Flight 269 air crash victims. Officials are also working hard to identify the remaining bodies of deceased passengers.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 24 September 2007

[JetsetBkk]

Yesterday, I read through PPRUNE and saw no agreement on the subject there. Totting up the various opinions, I arrived at 6:5 in favour of runway 27.

I guess I gave more weight to the later statements like:

post 106:

it does look like they landed on rwy 27, no doubt about it.

post 115:

Thai TV indicated last night that the aircraft used runway 27. I apologise for any earlier misinformation.

[mr_hippo]

Sorry, I got it wrong, response time is the time taken to get to any point of each operational runway from base. From post 520 -

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)

Response Time- Extract

9.2.21 (Standard). - The operational objective of the rescue and fire fighting service

shall be to achieve a response time not exceeding three minutes to any point of

each operational runway, in optimum visibility and surface conditions.

9.2.22 Recommendation. - The operational objective of the rescue and fire fighting

service shall be to achieve a response time not exceeding two minutes to any

point of each operational runway, in optimum visibility and surface

conditions.

Now point out in those regs where it says 'base (or similar) to crash site'? Assuming that you can reach 'any point' in the allotted time but the scene is still 4 kms away, how fast would you have to travel to reach that spot?

Did I mention in my previous post anything about HKT? No! I will rephrase what I said. If you are at one end of an active/operational runway and there is an aircraft on finals at the far end and in distress, you would not be given permission to go onto that runway. The plane may crash, it may not, in the event of a crash, you do not know where it will stop, you do not know if the debris field will be large or small.

[TAWP]

mr_hippo>> 4 km's away? Simon already wrote it was 400meter...

And you think all the trucks was standing waiting for permission at the end of the runway, out of fear of debrie, no doubt caused by all the passengers climbing out themselfs?

[mr_hippo]

I was not talking about HKT, was I? I will now leave this thread in the hands of ill informed amateurs.

[Maestro]

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)...Assuming that you can reach 'any point' in the allotted time but the scene is still 4 kms away, how fast would you have to travel to reach that spot?

Did I mention in my previous post anything about HKT

I understand your post as a reference to the ICAO guidelines, not to the crash at Phuket airport, and that you are asking the practical question if rescue vehicles can be driven at the speed that would be necessary to drive the entire length of a 4-km runway, if required, within the stipulated time of three minutes minus the time to man the vehicles, start the engines and get the vehicles out to the runway.

--

Maestro

[jumnien]

I remember last time I flew my plane to Phuket I parked just opposite the fire station and had to take a leak before boarding to return to Bang Phra. Instead of returning to the terminal I ran across the taxiway and used the fire station restroom. I remember running out in the open quite a distance to the fire station. I really think the crash site was more than 400 meters from the fire station. I saw in print somewhere the figure of 2km from the terminal. If it was anywhere near 400 meters it must have been directly across the runway from the fire station. Any aerial photos of the event anywhere or photos showing the crash site in relation to the terminal?

Edited September 24, 2007 by sunrise07

[simon43]

OK, I've had a look at a Google Earth image of the airport and I stand corrected on the distance between the fire-station and the crash site. I measure it from the image at about 1,300 metres. The crash-site is opposite the control tower, and I was under the impression that the fire-station was in the same location. However, the Google image shows that the fire-station is nearer to the terminal building.

Simon

[george]

Update:

Analysis of flight data recorders begins, 10 bodies still unidentified

BANGKOK: -- Thai and US officials on Monday began analysing black box flight data recorders of the One-Two-Go aircraft which crashed at Phuket International Airport eight days ago.

The analysis will reveal voices and sounds from the cockpit as well as information about aviation and control system of the ill-fated aircraft, according to chief of the department, Chaisak Angkasuwan.

Speaking about returning the bodies of foreign victims to their home countries, he said there are 10 bodies left for identification and the work will be done so soon.

The Department of Civil Aviation ordered its officials to inspect the aviation safety standard of all domestic full service and low cost airlines to ensure they operate at the same standard, said Transport Minister Admiral Thira Haocharoen.

After the One-Two-Go budget carrier flight crashed at Phuket International Airport killing 89 passengers on board, action must be taken to prevent a recurrence of any similar accident, he said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Chaisak confirmed that all domestic airlines meet the international standard and his department has strictly monitored the implementation of the safety standards of all domestic airlines as well.

However, the department will meet with agencies concerned on Thursday to discuss aviation safety standards to close any loopholes and strictly control the implementation of all safety measures.

--TNA 2007-09-24

[mr_hippo]

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)...Assuming that you can reach 'any point' in the allotted time but the scene is still 4 kms away, how fast would you have to travel to reach that spot?

Did I mention in my previous post anything about HKT

I understand your post as a reference to the ICAO guidelines, not to the crash at Phuket airport, and that you are asking the practical question if rescue vehicles can be driven at the speed that would be necessary to drive the entire length of a 4-km runway, if required, within the stipulated time of three minutes minus the time to man the vehicles, start the engines and get the vehicles out to the runway.

--

Maestro

I have not worked at, or even been to, HKT so it would be wrong of me to speculate. My experience has been at Jeddah, Taif and Khamis airports and at three weapons delivery ranges at Taif, Khamis (al Amwah) and Dhahran (Half Moon Bay). It has been 12 years since I worked at any capacity at any airport, I was either paramedic supervisor at airports or aero-evac medic at weapons ranges. Reading the undated guidelines, it would seem to suggest that the time is taken from 'base' to first access point and this would include the time to man the vehicles, start the engines; all timings on our exercises started from the crew rooms, stand down.

Photo shows location of Jeddah CFR base between two runways, there is a third runway to the right but this is the RSAF base runway and covered by separate teams. If nothing has changed from my day, the long thin building at the top, houses from left to right - Paramedic Supervisor's office, crew rooms and BA workshop & stores. The two vehicles under shelter are supervisor's ambulance (at the top) which will be in front of the emergency medic truck and trailer that has 350 stretchers, the vehicle at the other end of the shelter will be the Fire Chief's truck.

One comment on the 'white shirt' video - people have commented about the absence of vehicles. There appears to be little fire damage on the port side so crews and appliances would have been stationed starboard. It had been/still is raining and may have been deemed unsafe to park vehicles on the port side. It is too far away to see if there were any emergency crew on the far side. All survivors would have been treated on a sliding scale - treat the worst first and then work down to the 'walking wounded'. I'm sorry but your broken arm rates lower than the chap with his guts hanging out, just be patient and we will get to you.

Off topic: Writing about Jeddah has just made me smile when I think of one of the characters there - Fireman al Habashi (nicknamed 'Egg on legs') at Station 4 - used to wear the complete silver suit with helmet and flip-flops!

[Johpa]

Photos of aircraft seem to suggest low speed impact and that would mean that the aircraft was below stall speed therefore would be unable to climb.

It has been suggested that the response time was too slow - how would you speed it up? Have the crews in their fire suits for a whole shift, sitting in the vehicle at the closet access point? How long do you think it would take a fire crew to get from their crew room, into the appliance and drive about 2 kms?

The fire exercise - how many of us have taken part in fire drills - school, workplace, cruise ship, etc? They normally work well but would the same thing happen in an emergency?

How long do you think it takes to plan a major airport incident exercise?

I can't talk about emergency response crews at airports, but in the military (a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away) we always had one combat crew "at the ready" on a 60 second deployment, that is 60 seconds to get their vehicle across the start line. That meant when your crew was the assigned as the quick response crew you got to sleep with your boots on. And yes, those quick response crews got drilled on a regular basis. So I would imagine that an airport fire station has at least one crew at the ready at all times able to get out the door in 60 seconds by which time ground control would have cleared the runways or have stopped all traffic. That would allow two minutes for that crew to get about 2km to an incident within a total of 3 minutes.

But again, I am only speculating as I was not in any unit related to fire fighting or airport activities.

[mrtoad]

What is noticeable from PPRUNE is not so much the reports of the incompetence of Orienthai and 1-2-Go (that could always be down to disgruntled ex-employees) BUT there has not been one single post from one single pilot who has come to their defense. It is as though their incompetence is a well known but generally unspoken fact within the industry. Quite frankly I am amazed they are still flying pending an investigation....

Disgruntled employess to be sure. I think almost all the 'professional' pilots that have left Orient Thai/1-2-Go are disgruntled. They left the airline because they either were fed up with trying to make the airline safe and run what professional people would call a normal safe airline - only to be met at all sides with an owner/CEO who was bound and determined to make it unsafe by his horrendous policies. Or they ran for their lives because they feared they would die or be involved in an accident due to shoddy maintenance. I know of at least 3 people that as they left told Udom that he was going to crash an airplane (specifically mentioning the MD82 fleet) and kill alot of people if kept it up. Were they disgruntled? YES, Udom, and his policies put thelives of friends and thousands of unknown passengers at great risk. Are they even more disgruntled? YES, those policies have now killed friends and many passengers.

I would venture to bet the only pilots that would come to the defense of the airline would be a cadre of pilots that are still there and want to keep their jobs and will do anything to do so. Which amazingly enough is what they do everyday - break rules,law, and put the public and their innocent crews at great risk in order to keep the likes of Udom from firing them. Will they speak out? And admit to their deeds - I don't think so.

The incompetence is known but the mighty Baht dealt under a table somewhere keeps it handily shelved in the regulators books. The statements that it will hurt Thailand and tourism attempt to quiet the truth....and it seems succeeds.

Aren't they governed by any international authorities? Do you mean anyone rich enough to run an airline can do whatever they like without being under supervision?

Now you know how it must work in Thailand. Surely the Thai DCA is supposed to to adhere to International standards ala ICAO and is the 'governing' body in Thailand but it certainly doesn't mean they govern properly and I know they don't. Therefore at least some of their carriers enjoy the fruits of not having to go to the expenses of keeping their organizations up to a minimal standard. Papers forged, doctored, whatever it takes.... I am sure Thailand is not alone in this process amongst all countries, but they certainly are a part of it and besides if it were known...can you imagine the impact on Thailands tourist industry??? Can't have that can we?

Supaporn, your post reinforces my feelings on this terrible incident and how it will be investigated and reported. As per usual the BKK Post has contributed very little to any investigative journalism and has just reported speculation and spin. Thankfully there is more information on the internet, and whilst much of this thread is conjecture and speculation there are plenty of posters here who have been able to share their experience of working in the aviation section which at least gives us laymen a bit more of an insight.

[CHAIYES]

Photos of aircraft seem to suggest low speed impact and that would mean that the aircraft was below stall speed therefore would be unable to climb.

It has been suggested that the response time was too slow - how would you speed it up? Have the crews in their fire suits for a whole shift, sitting in the vehicle at the closet access point? How long do you think it would take a fire crew to get from their crew room, into the appliance and drive about 2 kms?

The fire exercise - how many of us have taken part in fire drills - school, workplace, cruise ship, etc? They normally work well but would the same thing happen in an emergency?

How long do you think it takes to plan a major airport incident exercise?

I can't talk about emergency response crews at airports, but in the military (a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away) we always had one combat crew "at the ready" on a 60 second deployment, that is 60 seconds to get their vehicle across the start line. That meant when your crew was the assigned as the quick response crew you got to sleep with your boots on. And yes, those quick response crews got drilled on a regular basis. So I would imagine that an airport fire station has at least one crew at the ready at all times able to get out the door in 60 seconds by which time ground control would have cleared the runways or have stopped all traffic. That would allow two minutes for that crew to get about 2km to an incident within a total of 3 minutes.

But again, I am only speculating as I was not in any unit related to fire fighting or airport activities.

Ok, basically all airports around the world are required by ICAO to have a certain category of fire fighting equipment & personel on STANDBY for the duration of the airport's operating hours. ( category depends on the biggest airplane the airport is certified for)

In their RFF operations standby room, they are required to continually monitor the pilot/controller radio communications.

Also, there is a crash alarm installed should there be a need for the control tower to advise them of a n iminent crash.

Hope this clears a few things

[jumnien]

OK, I've had a look at a Google Earth image of the airport and I stand corrected on the distance between the fire-station and the crash site. I measure it from the image at about 1,300 metres. The crash-site is opposite the control tower, and I was under the impression that the fire-station was in the same location. However, the Google image shows that the fire-station is nearer to the terminal building.

Simon

Good job re-calculating the estimated distance between the fire station and crash site. I've spent a lot of time on the tarmac pre-flighting the plane always in good weather. I can only imagine what it must have been like out there in the driving rain with limited visibility and extremely high winds. It's quite possible that the control tower could not see the crash or the crash site due to the visibility restrictions. It will be interesting to follow the investigation and learn more.

[NBT TV Phuket]

The Phuket authorities are arranging a merit making ceremony on October 8th for Phuket air crash victims.

After the tragic air crash accident at Phuket Airport which killed 89 people, the Phuket Governor Nirand Kalayamit plans a merit making ceremony on Monday October 8th 2007. The governor said he would call a meeting with all related personnel including the victims’ families to hold a three-religion ceremony at the airport. He insisted that the ceremony would not disturb the passengers at the airport, but the ceremony would be a comfort for those who lost loved ones and those who were involved with the accident’s rescue and relief operation plus the general public.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://www.thaisnews.com/news_detail.php?newsid=214826

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, Monday 24 September 2007 & www.Thaisnews.com

[ThaidleHands]

After the tragic air crash accident at Phuket Airport which killed 89 people, the Phuket Governor Nirand Kalayamit plans a merit making ceremony on Monday October 8th 2007. The governor said he would call a meeting with all related personnel including the victims’ families to hold a three-religion ceremony at the airport. He insisted that the ceremony would not disturb the passengers at the airport, but the ceremony would be a comfort for those who lost loved ones and those who were involved with the accident’s rescue and relief operation plus the general public.

Better count again and make that at least four.

If there's some merit to be made, penance to be paid or redemption to be earned, it should start wth Khun Udom and his staff crawling over a 1000 km of broken glass. While less vicserally satisfying, charges of manslughter or negligent homicide would do just as well.

[moodysufc]

Would just like to add my condolences, to the 4 passengers from the Scunthorpe area who died, i knew Steve Saundy and knew the rest of his party through friends, to of married only a day before is a tragedy, RIP

[NBT TV Phuket]

The Phuket authorities are now holding a multi–faith religious ceremony for the plane crash victims on Saturday 29th September 2007 at 15.00 hours. The ceremony will take place at the Phuket International Airport’s multi-purpose building.

(in Thai:

จังหวัดภูเก็ต กำหนดทำบุญใหญ่ 5 ศาสนา อุทิศส่วนกุศลให้แก่ผู้เสียชีวิตจากอุบัติเหตุเครื่อ งบิน และเพื่อสร้างขวัญกำลังใจแก่ญาติผู้เสียชีวิต และสร้างความเชื่อมั่นแก่ประชาชนในการเดินทาง วันที่ 29 กันยายน 2550 เวลา 15.00 น. ณ บริเวณอาคารอเนกประสงค์ ท่าอากาศยานภูเก็ต )

[ChiangMaiAmerican]

From Today's Bangkok Post:

"Meanwhile, a Chicago-based law firm says it will soon announce details of legal action by victims and victims' relatives in the US in connection with the Sept 16 crash of One-Two-Go Flight OG-269."

http://bangkokpost.com/News/27Sep2007_news16.php

There is a large Thai community in Chicago. I suspect one or more members of the potential class come from that group. It will be interesting to see if they can collect. If the venue can be moved outside Thailand they might otherwise the possible judgement will likely be little or nothing.

Edited September 27, 2007 by ChiangMaiAmerican

[Supaporn]

From Today's Bangkok Post:

"Meanwhile, a Chicago-based law firm says it will soon announce details of legal action by victims and victims' relatives in the US in connection with the Sept 16 crash of One-Two-Go Flight OG-269."

http://bangkokpost.com/News/27Sep2007_news16.php

There is a large Thai community in Chicago. I suspect one or more members of the potential class come from that group. It will be interesting to see if they can collect. If the venue can be moved outside Thailand they might otherwise the possible judgement will likely be little or nothing.

If anyone can find out what 'Chicago-based law firm' is involved, I am sure they would appreciate some data... Anyone know?

[baabaabobo]

One-Two-Go crash probe points to wind shear, pilot decision

BANGKOK (Nation/ The Phuket Gazette): The probe into the crash of One-Two-Go flight OG029 points to wind shear and the pilot’s decision to land despite weather warnings as likely causes, the air crash investigation committee has announced.

“The initial finding, which encompasses the weather conditions at the time of the accident, communications between the tower and the crashed plane’s pilot as well as other witnesses points to a single conclusion,” said Chaisawat Kittipornpaiboon, permanent secretary of the Transport Ministry and chairman of the committee.

“However, we can’t confirm this until we get the black box decoding result. So far, there has been no contradictory report from the black box,” he told reporters after a meeting of aviation-related organizations.

The evidence showed the pilot and aircraft were in good condition, he said.

Radio communications between the tower and the pilot of an Orient Thai Airlines MD82 plane that landed four minutes before OG029 showed there was wind shear and the pilot had asked controllers to alert the next plane due to land.

The tower duly informed the OG029 pilot of weather and runway conditions, but it could not bar him from landing as that was his decision, he said.

Analysis of the black box should be completed tomorrow and the committee would reconvene and compare the data with its initial finding.

If the two sources did not contradict, the panel would seek the transport minister’s permission to reveal the official cause of the accident to the public, probably early next month.

Otherwise, experts would be appointed for an in-depth analysis and that would take a while.

Attending the meeting were the Civil Aviation Department, Airports of Thailand Plc, Thai Airways International, Aeronautical Radio of Thailand, Civil Aviation Training Center and Thai Pilots’ Association.

Air Vice-Marshall Vinai Plengvithaya, deputy director of air inspection and vice chairman of the committee, noted that in inspecting an air crash wreckage should be maintained in its original condition. However, in the OG029 case, all evidence had not been collected because the debris was removed to help the injured and clear the runway.

If the black box yielded data at odds with the initial finding, the Air Force will need to go to Phuket and gather more evidence, he said.

“In this investigation, we have applied the ‘3-M concept’: ‘Man’, which is pilot; ‘Material’ or the plane; and ‘Media’ or communications between the tower and pilot. In this case, our focus is inclined to the ‘Media’ factor,” he said.

Vuttichai Singhamanee, director of the Civil Aviation Department’s Flight Safety Standards Bureau, said that from his checks the MD82 aircraft which served OG029 was in good shape, as the pilot did not report any problems prior the accident. The Indonesian captain also met safety requirements, as he had flown only five hours on the fateful day.

To fly a commercial plane, pilots must be free from alcohol for at least eight hours before takeoff and must not fly more than eight hours per day or 110 hours per month or 1,000 hours per year. Pilots aged over 40 must have a medical check-up twice a year.

K. Vuttichai also noted that on the day of the accident, the Venezuelan pilot who landed Orient Thai’s MD82 plane ahead of OG029 informed the tower of the wind shears. “Normally, if the wind speed is beyond 20 knots, the tower must warn pilots. And in this case, the tower did warn the pilot.”

[chinthee]

From Today's Bangkok Post:

"Meanwhile, a Chicago-based law firm says it will soon announce details of legal action by victims and victims' relatives in the US in connection with the Sept 16 crash of One-Two-Go Flight OG-269."

http://bangkokpost.com/News/27Sep2007_news16.php

There is a large Thai community in Chicago. I suspect one or more members of the potential class come from that group. It will be interesting to see if they can collect. If the venue can be moved outside Thailand they might otherwise the possible judgement will likely be little or nothing.

If anyone can find out what 'Chicago-based law firm' is involved, I am sure they would appreciate some data... Anyone know?

Just a guess. Might be Baker & MacKenzie, as they do have a Bangkok office, are Chicago based and one of the world's largest law firms. Don't know if they would take such a case though.

[Ricardo]

One-Two-Go crash probe points to wind shear, pilot decision

The tower duly informed the OG029 pilot of weather and runway conditions, but it could not bar him from landing as that was his decision, he said.

But the tower were surely aware that, should weather conditions be considered too bad, they have the authority to close their runway temporarily ? So why the rush to put all the blame, for the attempt at landing, onto the pilot ?

Air Vice-Marshall Vinai Plengvithaya, deputy director of air inspection and vice chairman of the committee, noted that in inspecting an air crash wreckage should be maintained in its original condition. However, in the OG029 case, all evidence had not been collected because the debris was removed to help the injured and clear the runway.

Was there any debris actually on the runway, then ? I thought the crash-site was well off to one side ?

And how were the cranes which quickly but carelessly removed the remains of the crash, possibly obscuring indicators as to the cause of the crash, helping the injured ? Any bodies by then remaining within the plane were then surely all dead ?

Or did the haste have to do, with removing from the sight of passengers on flights after the airport was reopened, wreckage which might worsen the publicity-damage to the Thai tourist-industry ?

[Pomthai]

In this investigation, we have applied the ‘3-M concept; More like 'masking" tape from 3m.

[simon43]

As far as removing the wreckage is concerned, you might be interested to know where it is now. The remains of the plane have been 'dumped' near to the perimeter of the airport, about 100 metres from the beach. What is amazing is that these remains have been dumped OUTSIDE of the airport security fence! That is, the remains are totally accessible by anyone who cares to walk along the beach footpath.

I have a nice photo taken a couple of days ago which shows the aircraft remains almost buried under a pile of soil and with some green netting over the rest. My photo shows 2 joggers running within a few metres of the wreckage.

Perhaps you'll find souveneirs from the plane on sale at the local market!

Simon

[ThaidleHands]

If anyone can find out what 'Chicago-based law firm' is involved, I am sure they would appreciate some data... Anyone know?

No doubt that ad hoc contributions by a few TV members will prove indispensible after their teams of trained lawyers and professional researchers and investigators bungle things...

[jeebusjones]

In this investigation, we have applied the ‘3-M concept; More like 'masking" tape from 3m.

Sad but true.

What is amazing is that these remains have been dumped OUTSIDE of the airport security fence! That is, the remains are totally accessible by anyone who cares to walk along the beach footpath.

What I find especially interesting is that last week several government officials came out and told people to stop speculating and wait for the results of the black box. But now they have released a report as to what they believe is the cause of the crash, but say it is still pending the final analysis of the black box. Am I missing something?

[sriracha john]

Foreign victim dies, crash toll at 90

A Welsh woman left fighting for her life after surviving the plane crash at Phuket has died, a spokeswoman for the British Foreign Office confirmed. Bethan Jones, 22, from Wales, died in hospital in Bangkok from burns to 50 per cent of her body, suffered in the One-Two-Go crash at Phuket on Sept 16. Two days after the crash, she was flown by Royal Thai Air Force military aircraft to a special unit in Bangkok General Hospital, but the effort to save her eventually proved futile. She never regained consciousness. Her death brought the death toll in the accident to 90. Just three days into a planned six-month, round-the-world trip, Miss Jones and companion Alex Collins, 22, decided to leave Bangkok and head for the Thai resort of Phuket.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=122102

[Jai Dee]

Foreign victim dies of burn; Phuket crash toll 90

A 22-year-old Welsh woman who suffered severe burns in a plane crash in Phuket has died in hospital there, BBC reported.

Bethan Jones, from Porth, Rhondda, had been three days into a round-the-world trip with boyfriend Alex Collins, 22, from Maesteg, near Bridgend.

Mr Collins was one of 81 people who died in the crash in Phuket. His body has now been flown home.

Miss Jones received 50% burns in the 16 September crash, in which the jet slid off a runway and burst into flames.

A total of 123 passengers, mostly foreign tourists, were on the One-Two-Go flight from Bangkok at the time. She was among the 42 survivors.

Two days later, she was flown from Phuket by military aircraft to a special unit in Bangkok General Hospital.

Her death is an immense loss to her family and also to members of our school and the wider community, BBC reported.

Source: The Nation - 28 September 2007