THAI flight skids off runway at Khon Kaen airport

[wandasloan]

Did you read the second report or update---apologize clever dick x amount of Thai and Nok were cancelled, and I said why not tow the Airbus off the end of the runway---all night to do it then resume. Whats with you ??? angry man.

There is not a report in this thread that says the airport is closed pending an investigation, or while an investigation takes place or anything similar. I'm pretty sure there's no such report in the world, although I can't prove that.

I can also not figure out why you think people are/were not working to recover the aircraft, since reports above say specifically that they are.

And I'm angry?

heh

.

[laobali]

The pilot must be Burmese.

Don't you think the "Burmese" joke's been done to death?

Not quite. That story's still very much alive.

[laobali]

No statement from THAI other than an apology for the inconvenience? Not even the possibility of brake failure before the turn at the end of the runway? Anything to blame someone or something other than a Thai pilot? Amazing.

The incident is less than 24 hours old and you want a FULL report??? It's some of you people who are amazing!

In 24 hours of course not, a short statement would suffice, but their public relations management is abysmal. Leads to all sorts of (negative) speculation such as here.

[laobali]

• Aquaplaning or hydroplaning which is also known as a loss of steering or braking control when a layer of water prevents direct contact between tires and the road, runway, or other surface.
• sorry mate no rain or standing at K K airport yesterday

And very unlikely at low speed such as taxiing, about to make a 180 degree turn. Complete brake failure? Also unlikely. Which probably leaves only pilot error, and that's a 'face' issue.

[ginjag]

Did you read the second report or update---apologize clever dick x amount of Thai and Nok were cancelled, and I said why not tow the Airbus off the end of the runway---all night to do it then resume. Whats with you ??? angry man.

There is not a report in this thread that says the airport is closed pending an investigation, or while an investigation takes place or anything similar. I'm pretty sure there's no such report in the world, although I can't prove that.

I can also not figure out why you think people are/were not working to recover the aircraft, since reports above say specifically that they are.

And I'm angry?

heh

.

Have I said the airport was closed #54 #54 #54 I said flights were cancelled TUESDAY---WEBFACT so if the flights today are cancelled will the airport be running without aircraft ???

I for one said the airport had time to get the Airbus off the muck by the morning---NEVER said they were not working.

WHAT is it with you making accusations unfounded to cause argument. read again Webfact.---apologize do not try to get out of trying to make up another story.

Edited November 4, 2014 by ginjag

[laobali]

Did you read the second report or update---apologize clever dick x amount of Thai and Nok were cancelled, and I said why not tow the Airbus off the end of the runway---all night to do it then resume. Whats with you ??? angry man.

There is not a report in this thread that says the airport is closed pending an investigation, or while an investigation takes place or anything similar. I'm pretty sure there's no such report in the world, although I can't prove that.

I can also not figure out why you think people are/were not working to recover the aircraft, since reports above say specifically that they are.

And I'm angry?

heh

.

Have I said the airport was closed #54 #54 #54 I said flights were cancelled TUESDAY---WEBFACT so if the flights today are cancelled will the airport be running without aircraft ???

I for one said the airport had time to get the Airbus off the muck by the morning---NEVER said they were not working.

WHAT is it with you making accusations unfounded to cause argument. read again Webfact.---apologize do not try to get out of trying to make up another story.

You need something pretty powerful (more than a couple of buffaloes) to pull an Airbus with its nosegear stuck in the mud back on to the runway. KK airport might not have such equipment available.

Edited November 4, 2014 by laobali

[city]

Edited November 4, 2014 by city

[webfact]

Thai Airways flight still pending recovery after skidding off the runway in Khon Kaen

KHON KAEN, 4 November 2014 (NNT) – The Thai Airways flight TG047 has yet to be recovered after skidding off the runway in Khon Kaen province at 8:50PM on November 3rd.

Officials from Thai Airways, Air Asia, and Nok Air have escorted passengers who planned to depart from Khon Kaen airport to take a bus to board their flights at Udon Thani Airport instead after the runway at Khon Kaen Airport is still unable to operate at the moment.

246 passengers were reported to be on board the flight yesterday, which was scheduled to leave Khon Kaen Airport for Suvarnabhumi. Fortunately, no passengers were hurt. As a result, the Khon Kaen Airport will be closed until further notice. The airline has also apologized for the inconvenience.

The flight has not yet been recovered by the rescue team, causing other airlines to cancel their flights including Nok Air's flight DD9806, Air Asia's flight FD3250, and Thai Smile flight WE0050. Moreover, 11 additional flights have switched courses to land at the Udon Thani airport instead.

The Khon Kaen governor admits that the incident may impair the confidence of several tourists and passengers and some meetings of organizations maybe interrupted. He said that a solution must be sought immediately to prevent such an incident from happening again in the future. It is expected that the airport should be able to resume its operations within today (November 4th).


-- NNT 2014-11-04

[webfact]

Khon Kaen airport closes after THAI plane slips off runway

By Digital Content

KHON KAEN, Nov 4 -- Khon Kaen provincial airport is closed today as a Thai Airways International (THAI) aircraft slipped off the runway last night.

The plane is expected to be towed away today, while arriving flights are being diverted to Udon Thani airport.

A THAI's Airbus A330 aircraft Flight TG 047 (Khon Kaen-Bangkok) with two pilots, 11 crew members and 246 passengers slipped from the runway and became stuck in soft soil while preparing for takeoff at 8.50pm.

This morning airport personnel were using balloons to lift the plane as it is too big to be handled with a crane.

No one was injured but the incident led to the airport closure.

Buses were deployed to transport stranded passengers to Udon Thani airport where they resumed their trip to Bangkok.

Amphawan Wannako, Udon Thani airport director, said eight flights of THAI, THAI Smile, Nok Air and AirAsia would be routed through Udon Thani airport today with the airlines deploying buses to transport their passengers to Khon Kaen.

Mr Amphawan said Udon Thani airport normally handled 26 flights a day and could serve more flights. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2014-11-04

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Pretty funny.... The BKK Post's online version of their article on this today has a photo slideshow showing the big stuck jet mired in the background with what looks to be a bunch of Thai duffers just routinely playing golf on an adjoining course in the foreground of the photos.

Ahh well... just a normal day in Thailand! Nothing to see here, move along...

Meanwhile, this photo from JS100 makes it look like the nose gear and the left main gear, for sure, and possibly part of the right main gear are all off the pavement.

https://twitter.com/js100radio/status/529472656592998400

Edited November 4, 2014 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[ginjag]

Did you read the second report or update---apologize clever dick x amount of Thai and Nok were cancelled, and I said why not tow the Airbus off the end of the runway---all night to do it then resume. Whats with you ??? angry man.

There is not a report in this thread that says the airport is closed pending an investigation, or while an investigation takes place or anything similar. I'm pretty sure there's no such report in the world, although I can't prove that.

I can also not figure out why you think people are/were not working to recover the aircraft, since reports above say specifically that they are.

And I'm angry?

heh

.

Have I said the airport was closed #54 #54 #54 I said flights were cancelled TUESDAY---WEBFACT so if the flights today are cancelled will the airport be running without aircraft ???

I for one said the airport had time to get the Airbus off the muck by the morning---NEVER said they were not working.

WHAT is it with you making accusations unfounded to cause argument. read again Webfact.---apologize do not try to get out of trying to make up another story.

You need something pretty powerful (more than a couple of buffaloes) to pull an Airbus with its nosegear stuck in the mud back on to the runway. KK airport might not have such equipment available.

Reverse thrust Full power---stand back.

[ratcatcher]

Why cancel the flights pending an investigation ?? how long do they take ??

BANGKOK: -- All 11 flights scheduled to arrive at and depart from the Khon Kaen Airport were cancelled Tuesday pending salvation of a Thai Airways International plane that skid off the runway Monday night.

It appears they're waiting for the "salvation" of the aircraft and/or airline!

Anyone know where salvation can be found for Thai Air???

"Anyone know where salvation can be found for Thai Air???"

Maybe here

[ginjag]

Why cancel the flights pending an investigation ?? how long do they take ??

BANGKOK: -- All 11 flights scheduled to arrive at and depart from the Khon Kaen Airport were cancelled Tuesday pending salvation of a Thai Airways International plane that skid off the runway Monday night.

It appears they're waiting for the "salvation" of the aircraft and/or airline!

Anyone know where salvation can be found for Thai Air???

"Anyone know where salvation can be found for Thai Air???"

Maybe here sa.jpg

pray.jpg

They operate at 6am outside the bedroom window----band playing 'Jesus save us" Sunday mornings.----The army bit we had better not discuss---be it PM or red.

Edited November 4, 2014 by ginjag

[sandyf]

Did you read the second report or update---apologize clever dick x amount of Thai and Nok were cancelled, and I said why not tow the Airbus off the end of the runway---all night to do it then resume. Whats with you ??? angry man.

There is not a report in this thread that says the airport is closed pending an investigation, or while an investigation takes place or anything similar. I'm pretty sure there's no such report in the world, although I can't prove that.

I can also not figure out why you think people are/were not working to recover the aircraft, since reports above say specifically that they are.

And I'm angry?

heh

.

You must excuse those less knowledgeable, to the uninitiated it would appear to be a 5 minute job.

I used to tow aircraft and if the nosewheel is sunk in mud then you tend to have a bit of a problem. I was on Buccaneers which in comparison are quite small, when they got stuck they lifted them out with a crane. Even that was a bit tricky as the crane had be on a solid footing. No idea how they would deal with an Airbus in such a position. It certainly is not a matter of a rope round the tail and pulling.

I would doubt very much if the equipment required for such a task is available at KK airport.

[ginjag]

Did you read the second report or update---apologize clever dick x amount of Thai and Nok were cancelled, and I said why not tow the Airbus off the end of the runway---all night to do it then resume. Whats with you ??? angry man.

There is not a report in this thread that says the airport is closed pending an investigation, or while an investigation takes place or anything similar. I'm pretty sure there's no such report in the world, although I can't prove that.

I can also not figure out why you think people are/were not working to recover the aircraft, since reports above say specifically that they are.

And I'm angry?

heh

.

You must excuse those less knowledgeable, to the uninitiated it would appear to be a 5 minute job.

I used to tow aircraft and if the nosewheel is sunk in mud then you tend to have a bit of a problem. I was on Buccaneers which in comparison are quite small, when they got stuck they lifted them out with a crane. Even that was a bit tricky as the crane had be on a solid footing. No idea how they would deal with an Airbus in such a position. It certainly is not a matter of a rope round the tail and pulling.

I would doubt very much if the equipment required for such a task is available at KK airport.

Hence my joke, reverse thrust full power stand back.---Massive army equipment near KK----and just over 1 hour from UDON, heavy gear here to do most of that. Slow admitted but they have at Udon.

[solstan]

Some stats for you ...

http://www.thai-aviation.net/files/Air_Accidents.pdf

Nice stats, thanks!

Rather complete but it seems that hey dont add every incident. We had an aborted take off from BKK to Khon Khan with Thai Airways 20/8 2013 at noon caused by a bird who tried to pass through the left engine .. so we aborted the take off, taxed back - parked that plane, took some buses, boarded another one and had a nice flight

Never really shaky but it was a nice hit by the bird and we both heard and saw it and the feathers!

They were doing some cleaning/cutting by the canals and maybe that was why the bird took off ...

[JacChang]

Maybe a train collided with the plane as it was crossing the railway.

[MrY]

Looking at the pics on BKK Post it is obvious the pilot didn't just misjudge the turn. There just isn't enough momentum at the slower speeds required for an aircraft to turn to go more than a few feet off the edge of the runway, especially into muddy soil like is shown in the pics. The pilot either set takeoff thrust too early while still in the turn (one click and the auto-throttles set it for you) causing the nose wheel steering to skid and the aircraft to veer off the runway, or he missed the turn and tried to power his way out of trouble. Either way, quite a lot of thrust was required to bring the aircraft to where it came to a halt. I hope they will also bring the equipment needed to inspect the left engine for FOD (Foreigh Object Damage) as it has been run at high power off the tarmac and in a close proximity the ground.

[bdenner]

I'm not going to read all this BS!

All you armchair "Air Crash" investigators need to get a life and stop polluting this site with your ill informed rhetoric!

[joergenbo]

I know that they have had 10-??? years to extend the runway, but NOTHING happend. Everybody know the runway is to short.

As long as they can get the suspension will not change anything. Hope the insurance refuses Thai air and land in Khon Kaen until the runway is extended so that they comply with international rules.

[ratcatcher]

I know that they have had 10-??? years to extend the runway, but NOTHING happend. Everybody know the runway is to short.

As long as they can get the suspension will not change anything. Hope the insurance refuses Thai air and land in Khon Kaen until the runway is extended so that they comply with international rules.

Apparently Khon Kaen Airport - KKC runway is 3,050m, almost as long as Chiang Mai CNX 3,100 and longer than Udon Thani - UTH at 3048m.

How much longer should it be? Long enough for a B52 to flap into the air?

[ginjag]

I know that they have had 10-??? years to extend the runway, but NOTHING happend. Everybody know the runway is to short.

As long as they can get the suspension will not change anything. Hope the insurance refuses Thai air and land in Khon Kaen until the runway is extended so that they comply with international rules.

Apparently Khon Kaen Airport - KKC runway is 3,050m, almost as long as Chiang Mai CNX 3,100 and longer than Udon Thani - UTH at 3048m.

How much longer should it be? Long enough for a B52 to flap into the air?

Near 2 miles long, should be adequate for most medium type aircraft.........either the nose wheel jammed or pilot error.

[ginjag]

I'm not going to read all this BS!

All you armchair "Air Crash" investigators need to get a life and stop polluting this site with your ill informed rhetoric!

Pick another topic, just TVF chat, don't get your knickers in a twist this is why we post.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

You must excuse those less knowledgeable, to the uninitiated it would appear to be a 5 minute job.

I used to tow aircraft and if the nosewheel is sunk in mud then you tend to have a bit of a problem. I was on Buccaneers which in comparison are quite small, when they got stuck they lifted them out with a crane. Even that was a bit tricky as the crane had be on a solid footing. No idea how they would deal with an Airbus in such a position. It certainly is not a matter of a rope round the tail and pulling.

I would doubt very much if the equipment required for such a task is available at KK airport.

I haven't checked the news on this since this morning. But early in the day, they were talking on the news about using some kind of inflatable balloons under the plane to lift it up and out.

[cookee68]

The runway must have been built by Burmese. Also, a Burmese ghost suddenly showed up and intimidated the pilot.

That will be the most likely excuse, the bad ghosts, time to put another shrine on the airport to keep those greedy ghosts happy,

[cookee68]

You must excuse those less knowledgeable, to the uninitiated it would appear to be a 5 minute job.

I used to tow aircraft and if the nosewheel is sunk in mud then you tend to have a bit of a problem. I was on Buccaneers which in comparison are quite small, when they got stuck they lifted them out with a crane. Even that was a bit tricky as the crane had be on a solid footing. No idea how they would deal with an Airbus in such a position. It certainly is not a matter of a rope round the tail and pulling.

I would doubt very much if the equipment required for such a task is available at KK airport.

I haven't checked the news on this since this morning. But early in the day, they were talking on the news about using some kind of inflatable balloons under the plane to lift it up and out.

A long stay in the hotel then for the passengers waiting for the plane to be fixed, for their on going flight to Bangkok

[Jay Sata]

As a pilot who often uses Khon Kaen airport let me give you my assessment.

For the Airbus to depart it is standard procedure to taxi from the departure gate via the runway intersection and backtrack to the end of the runway. At this point there is a large turning circle. To aid the pilots who are about 7 metres above the runway and so have poor downwards vision there are markings on the taxi and runway.

The aircraft appears to have left the runway past the turning circle in front of the golf club next door

Once turned and lined up final checks are completed and passengers will notice a pause before the engines are wound up to take off power and the brakes released.

I suspect a novice first officer in command and hand/throttle problems which would have resulted in asymmetric thrust and the aircraft veering off the runway.

On spooling up both turbines to take off thrust there is also a requirement to steer the aircraft down the runway using the rudder which is controlled by foot pedals. Get any of the above controls wrong and you'll be off the centreline and runway in a flash.

Good result on the part of the captain who must have pulled the power back straight away.

There are no maintenance facilities at Khon Kaen or indeed aircraft engineers. Worse still for Thai is the fact that there are no tugs on the field. Aircraft jacks will be needed to lift the landing gear and a strategy that does not involve any stress on the undercarriage or airframe.

This is not like pulling a truck out of a ditch with a JCB.

The aircraft will then need to be taxied back to an area where engineers from Bangkok will assess any stress or damage on the undercarriage legs.

In short it will not be leaving Khon Kaen quickly.

There is no Thailand style quick fix here as the aircraft value and insurance hinges on all of this incident and any repairs being recorded and signed off in the airframe log book.

The reason the airfield is shut is that the runway is occupied and so no other aircraft can legally land or take off until this aircraft is removed and the strip inspected for damage etc.

Edited November 4, 2014 by Jay Sata

[MrY]

I'm not going to read all this BS!

All you armchair "Air Crash" investigators need to get a life and stop polluting this site with your ill informed rhetoric!

Hardly "ill informed", just 25 years of operating experience and some good old deductive reasoning. Those pictures in the Post were quite clear, you can find them easy. I agree on having to get a life, but how did you know..?

As Jay Sata posted above, [momentary] asymmetrical thrust is also possible, but clearly the left engine was still producing thrust as the aircraft path curves to the right in the mud. Certainly they did not reduce power quickly once off the edge of runway.

[MrY]

I know that they have had 10-??? years to extend the runway, but NOTHING happend. Everybody know the runway is to short.

As long as they can get the suspension will not change anything. Hope the insurance refuses Thai air and land in Khon Kaen until the runway is extended so that they comply with international rules.

You've been around a while, haven't you? Turns out is has been extended (that's the first thing I looked up). I used to operate a Boeing 727 in and out of KK in 1995-1997 when it was a kilometer (!) shorter. Now that was marginal for a 727.

[Benmart]

Seems to be another opportunity to slam Thailand, Thai Airways, the pilots, the Burmese and other targets. These juvenile comments speak volumes about how the writers view such incidents.

I'm glad the passengers were not injured, a point that seems lost in the sea alcoholic-like comments.

Live and Let Live