One-two-go Forced To Suspend Operations

[GungaDin]

ONE-TWO-GO AIRLINES

Pilot error blamed for crash

AMORNRAT MAHITTHIROOK

Pilot error caused the fatal crash in Phuket last year and was the reason behind the grounding of One-Two-Go airlines, Chaisak Angsuwan, the director-general of the Civil Aviation Department, said yesterday.

His statement contradicted one from the budget airline on Friday, which cited problems including rising oil prices and strong competition as the need to temporarily cease operations and ground all eight of its MD 80 series planes.

Mr Chaisak said pilot error while trying to land at Phuket international airport on Sept 16 last year prompted the department to ban the entire MD fleet from service.

Investigations found the plane and maintenance were up to standard, but the way the pilots worked needed to improve to meet international requirements, he said.

The decision to ground One-Two-Go was based mainly on the inquiry by the National Transport Safety Board of the United States and the assessment of the department. The 56-day suspension will start tomorrow.

The temporary ban will only apply to the MD 80 aircraft. All 747 jets flying for Orient Thai airlines, which also belong to Udom Tantiprasongchai, the owner of One-Two-Go, are allowed to keep operating, but improvements are expected within 30 days, Mr Chaisak said. He refused to go into detail.

On Sept 16 last year a One-Two-Go MD-82 crashed in strong winds and heavy rain while trying to land at Phuket. The accident left 89 people dead and 41 injured. Transport Minister Santi Promphat said he was briefed on the report by the department chief on July 11.

The decision to suspend the budget airline will be announced at a press conference today.

Mr Udom said he accepted the results of the investigation, which pointed out faults by the pilots, and promised to make improvements.

A source at the department said the agency had informed One-Two-Go about the need to improve its performance, but nothing was improved.

The agency planned to ground both One-Two-Go and Orient Thai, but later decided to let Orient Thai continue operating. The source said the agency was not satisfied with the no-frills airline after finding that checks by the pilots were not being carried out properly.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/210708_News/21Jul2008_news008.php

Udom Tantiprasongchai (Say hello if you see him around)

Edited July 21, 2008 by GungaDin

[JetsetBkk]

Maybe we could ask George to change the title of this thread from:

"One-two-go Forced To Suspend Operations, Low-cost airline victim of high oil prices"

to:

"One-two-go Grounded By The Civil Aviation Department Because Of Pilot Error That Caused The Fatal Crash In Phuket"

[A_Traveller]

There is one thing {amongst others} which troubles me, and it did originally when this was first said. Several reports, probably based on earlier statements made by CAD, say that the undercarriage was up and imply that the plane was going around for another attempt. However, as this image appears to show the undercarriage was down at impact. This image was sourced by NBT TV in the original thread LINK so there appears to be a disconnect between the statements and the evidence.

Regards

[cloudhopper]

There is one thing {amongst others} which troubles me, and it did originally when this was first said. Several reports, probably based on earlier statements made by CAD, say that the undercarriage was up and imply that the plane was going around for another attempt. However, as this image appears to show the undercarriage was down at impact. This image was sourced by NBT TV in the original thread LINK so there appears to be a disconnect between the statements and the evidence.

Regards

The gear was probably down at impact. Normally retracting the gear is one of the last steps in a missed approach, if it is even on the checklist at all. This is because the drag is not as significant at landing/takeoff speeds as at cruise and has little effect on the initial rate of climb. Also in some types the drag can even increase during the cycle as doors open etc.

[A_Traveller]

^ Thanks for this. Whilst appreciating, from a physics perspective your point, mine was really focused on the accuracy of information being provided by CAD. If the gear was down why say it was up, if this was a mistake, it's one that has been repeated several times, and no attempt has been made to correct it. This 'fact' appears in the recent Times article for example.

Regards

[cloudhopper]

^ Thanks for this. Whilst appreciating, from a physics perspective your point, mine was really focused on the accuracy of information being provided by CAD. If the gear was down why say it was up, if this was a mistake, it's one that has been repeated several times, and no attempt has been made to correct it. This 'fact' appears in the recent Times article for example.

Regards

It appears to me that the DCA guy originally responsible for this quote was in no position to make that statement. Perhaps he was just trying to infer that the crew was actively involved in a go around (although the CVR transcript posted on TV would appear to indicate otherwise). It doesn't seem to be IMO a pivotal issue in any case.

[A_Traveller]

^ Super... the guy was/is Chaisak Angsuwan: Director General of the DCA, deputy chair of the investigating team, chair of AeroThai {provider of aircraft - airport comms}.

Guess I'll just treat it as indicative.

Regards

[JetsetBkk]

PHUKET AIR CRASH INVESTIGATION

One-Two-Go grounded, pilots' licences cancelled

AMORNRAT MAHITTHIROOK

The Civil Aviation Department has ordered One-Two-Go airlines to halt operations for 30 days due to substandard operations and revoked or suspended the flying licences of nine of its pilots.

Chaisak Angsuwan, director-general of the department, said suspension of the airline's Air Operator Certificate was effective from today.

The department had found shortcomings in the airline's aviation operations, flight schedules and maintenance, along with a lack of quality assurance.

The low-cost airline had violated aviation safety regulations and lacked proper airline management.

The flying licences of seven of the airline's foreign pilots were revoked, six Indonesians and a Venezuelan, and the licences of two Thai pilots suspended.

The department found the pilots on the airline's MD80 series aircraft had submitted documents misstating their level of expertise.

The airline and its pilots were liable to criminal penalties and the department would file charges against them in two weeks, said Mr Chaisak.

The announcement follows the department's investigation into the crash of flight OG269, an MD-82, at Phuket International Airport on Sept 16 last year, killing 89 people and injuring 41.

The airline was required to correct the flaws in its operations during the suspension period, or the department could either extend the suspension or terminate the airline's certificate.

One-Two-Go was ordered to correct its flight schedules, aircraft maintenance and quality assurance system.

Mr Chaisak said One-Two-Go's parent airline, Orient Thai, was also warned it must change its flight schedules to allow its pilots enough rest time, as required by aviation safety regulations.

Transport Minister Santi Promphat said other airlines would face similar punishment if they were found to have committed the same offences. Airlines should be more careful in examining the qualifications of their staff, especially their pilots, said Mr Santi.

Udom Tantiprasongchai, the president of One-Two-Go Airlines, said the nine pilots were sacked on July 8. He had not previously known about the pilots' incorrect documents. He believed the airline could make all the changes required within the 30 days.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/220708_News/22Jul2008_news003.php

The department found the pilots on the airline's MD80 series aircraft had submitted documents misstating their level of expertise.

Pilots with fake documents. Wonderful.

Airlines should be more careful in examining the qualifications of their staff, especially their pilots, said Mr Santi.

Really, Mr. Santi? Gosh, you are really making life hard for these guys.

Udom Tantiprasongchai, the president of One-Two-Go Airlines, said the nine pilots were sacked on July 8. He had not previously known about the pilots' incorrect documents.

Of course you didn't and we all believe you.

[Hanuman2547]

They were a crap airline anyway. I flew them from Bkk to Chiang Mai and return. Going up to CM the plane was about 33% full but did leave about 30 minutes late. Return flight was delayed from a early morning flight until 4:00pm. Good thing I wasn't making a connection!! I doubt they will be back.......and that will be fine by me as I wouldn't fly them again anyway.

[TAWP]

Holy crap, 9 pilots. No way this would be a coincident...

[illy]

it is so typical that all politicians and CEO's can think they can so obviously and blatantly lie and expect anyone but their cronies and connections in governmental posts to believe it. and once again it isn't just in thailand... but this Udom guy really takes the cake, he should be on the [always corrupt and rotten]olympic committee!!

[marshbags]

They could change the name to One Thats Gone

How about one-two-gone

Nok will be next and we should all care, even Thai Air Asia appear to be getting themselves in to trouble. It is good for all of us who travel that the low cost airlines thrive, otherwise the big boys will just put the prices up even more !

Nok,s middle flight to Udonthani has been cancelled already, what a ball ache that will be for those who usually arrrive ealry morning and cannot make it across town to D.M. to catch the first one ??????

Me, i always book with Thai Air when going international, in case of possible cancellations

marshbags

Edited July 23, 2008 by marshbags