CHIANG MAI, Thailand: Two pilots of the Royal Thai Air Force were killed after their training aircraft crashed into a forested area in Chom Thong district, Chiang Mai on Thursday, authorities said.
Authorities recovered the bodies after extinguishing a post-crash fire. The crash occurred around 10:50 a.m near Ban Huai Muang Fang Sai in Mae Soi subdistrict, when the aircraft, identified as a Beechcraft AT-6TH Wolverine, went down during a routine training flight, according to ‘Thaiger’, a Thailand news platform.
Emergency services and relevant agencies were immediately dispatched to the scene. Rescue teams confirmed that the plane caught fire upon impact, requiring fire engines to bring the flames under control before officials could safely access the wreckage. Once the fire was extinguished, the bodies of the two pilots were recovered.
The deceased pilots have been identified as Bom and Johnny, both assigned to Wing 411 under Wing 41 in Chiang Mai, where the aircraft was based.
The AT-6TH Wolverine is a light attack and training aircraft recently commissioned by the Royal Thai Air Force. It was introduced to replace older aircraft models and is designed for various operational roles, including combat training and light attack missions.
Equipped with modern avionics and capable of carrying multiple types of weaponry, the aircraft is noted for its high maneuverability, making it suitable for operations in northern Thailand’s mountainous terrain.
Authorities have not disclosed the exact cause of the crash, and a detailed investigation of the wreckage is underway. Further updates are expected as officials complete their examination.
