Rain-making Plane Crashes, Four Killed

[george]

Rain-making plane crashes, four killed

CHANTABURI: -- A planed used for artificial rain making crash-landed at the airport in Chanthaburi's Tha Mai district, killing two pilots and two agriculture officials the artificial rain-making project, police reported.

Police said another official was seriously injured.

The planed had problem and crash-landed, and caught fire.

The accident happened at 2:05 pm.

--The Nation 2006-03-29

[h90]

they should have made rain before they caught fire.

Rain-making plane crashes, four killed

CHANTABURI: -- A planed used for artificial rain making crash-landed at the airport in Chanthaburi's Tha Mai district, killing two pilots and two agriculture officials the artificial rain-making project, police reported.

Police said another official was seriously injured.

The planed had problem and crash-landed, and caught fire.

The accident happened at 2:05 pm.

--The Nation 2006-03-29

[Totster]

Reminds me of a song Geri Halliwel once sang

Anyway.. best wishes to the families..

totster

[johnb]

Hi

I've seen reference to 'rain making' before in connection to Thailand - can anybody advise if this works.?

The dumb question is ( if the above is yes) then why isnt this used more widley heh even the UK has hosepipe bans now

Thanks in advance

Johnb

[TAWP]

The proper usage of chemicals can for instance affect clouds to release their water, and instigate rain.

Airforces around the globe usually does this before having a show for instance. The russians are perhaps more famous for using it a _lot_ before parades and events.

[johnb]

TAWP

Understand now - thanks for the reply

Johnb

[Jai Dee]

The pilots who died in a plane crash have been identified.

The pilots who died in a plane crash in Chanthaburi (จันทบุรี) have been identified, but the cause of the crash is still unknown.

Royal Rainmaking Office Director Apichai Jeungprapa (อภิชัย จึงประภา) revealed that at around 1:20 PM yesterday, a porter plane number 1312 of the office crashed after taking off from the Tha Mai (ท่าใหม่) airport in Chantaburi at an altitude of 300 feet. The plane had been tasked with making a rainmaking operation. The cause of the crash is still unknown, but the names of the pilots on board have been identified.

The pilots who died in the incident include Captain Wichein Worachat (วิเชียร วรฉัตร), Sergeant Taweesak Chuaychoo (ทวีศักดิ์ ช่วยชู), Mr. Yai Silapaya (ใหญ่ ศิลปายะ), and Mr. Panya Sriwimol (ปัญญา ศรีวิมล). The officials are investigating the cause of the crash, which they believe did not result from the old condition of the plane, as the plane has been renovated in 2001.

Mr. Apichai said that the center has made rainmaking operations continuously to relieve drought problems, adding that it is a shame that the center lost ones of their best staff. He said that the center is contacting relatives of the dead to provide any possible assistance.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 30 March 2006

[steveromagnino]

The proper usage of chemicals can for instance affect clouds to release their water, and instigate rain.

Airforces around the globe usually does this before having a show for instance. The russians are perhaps more famous for using it a _lot_ before parades and events.

They also use a similar system in places like Colorado for snow, but it is a ground based system (or used to be) where they burn some sort of silver oxide or something; it attaches itself to the snow particle, increasing the weight and causes snow.

Vail, Aspen both used to have this system, not sure if they still do or what they do. I think they call it cloud seeding.

[Tufty]

The pilots who died in a plane crash have been identified.

The officials are investigating the cause of the crash, which they believe did not result from the old condition of the plane, as the plane has been renovated in 2001.

Just how long are these aircraft supposed to last, if is the Pilatus PC-6B Porter the first one fle in 1959 and they were flown on operations in Vietnam

Its a Eight seat recce and light transport aircraft.

But there is no way I would get in one of them

[[email protected]]

They might not be very trustworthy but they are great to jump out of :-)

Edited March 30, 2006 by [email protected]

[Wallalai]

they should have made rain before they caught fire.

What a lack of respect for people who died.

[Wallalai]

But there is no way I would get in one of them

Why ? Great aircrafts are they : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilatus_PC-6

[Tufty]

But there is no way I would get in one of them

Why ? Great aircrafts are they : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilatus_PC-6

One reason that springs to mind is the fact it was 31 years old

It may have been renovated in 2001 but who by, I bet they wern't approved by the CAA or FAA

[sonthaya]

But there is no way I would get in one of them

Why ? Great aircrafts are they : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilatus_PC-6

One reason that springs to mind is the fact it was 31 years old

It may have been renovated in 2001 but who by, I bet they wern't approved by the CAA or FAA

31 years old, it's not old, there is still a number of DC 3 flying around and they date back to 1940,

if well maintained they are as safe as many of the new aircrafts.

[monty]

Excellent airplanes they are!

Used all over the world for skydiving operations... Climbs very fast, takes off and lands on incredible short airstrips and has a very reliable engine (Pratt & Whitney PT-6).

Very good safety record.

[Jai Dee]

HM the King expressed sorrow for the plane crash incident.

His Majesty the King has expressed sorrow over the plane crash incident in Chanthaburi (จันทบุรี), while presenting royal bathing water and adopt their bodies under His patronage.

Artificial Rainmaking Center Director Apichai Juengprapa (อภิชัย จึงประภา) said that the cause of the crash has not still been identified, but he said that the investigation result will be known within one week. He added that His Majesty the King is distressed by the incident and has ordered His Principal Secretary to write a letter to the Advisor on the Artificial Rainmaking Operation of the Agriculture Ministry, Mr. Metha Ratchatapiti (เมธา รัชตะปิติ). to pass on his condolence to relatives of the victims. He said that His Majesty the King has granted the royal bathing water, and the funeral for the three officials will be held for 7 days.

Mr. Apichai said that the event will not affect the rainmaking operation, as the center has enough planes to carry out the operations.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 31 March 2006