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Wind shear blamed for Ko Samui crash
KO SAMUI – Latest reports suggest a sudden gust of wind may have caused a Bangkok Airways plane to skid and crash as it landed on the Thai resort island this week, killing its pilot.
The French-made ATR72-500 aircraft skidded off the runway as it landed on Tuesday, killing the chief pilot, Chartchai Pansuwan, and injuring 42 people.
Bangkok Airways said four passengers – one Italian, two British and one Swiss – were seriously hurt, along with the co-pilot, and most of the injured were European tourists.
The airport on the resort island resumed operations yesterday.
Investigators have removed the flight recorder from the plane. It will be sent to either the US or France where experts will try to determine the cause of the accident.
The co-pilot remains in critical condition at Bangkok Hospital and will undergo surgery on his chest and abdomen, according to the Phuket Gazette.
Another survivor, British woman Claire Ballantyne, said good safety measures at Samui airport allowed officials to quickly contain a fire on the aircraft before it spread.
Ian Jarrett
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