THE CRASH of One-Two-Go Flight OG269 on Phuket in 2007 came almost exactly 20 years after the crash at sea off Phuket of a Thai Airways jet, involving the deaths of all 83 people on board.
Reports of the earlier crash were discovered by a Phuketwan journalist researching the more recent disaster.
Poignantly, the information comes to light at a time of worldwide concern about an Air France flight missing over the Atlantic.
A New York Times article carried an AP account of what took place near Phuket on September 1, 1987:
''A Thai Airways jet on a domestic flight plunged into the sea near Phuket Island today, and officials said they believed all 83 people aboard were killed.
''Two Americans were said to be among the 37 foreigners on the plane, a Boeing 737.
''Spokesmen said 17 bodies were recovered before search operations halted for the night because of high winds and poor visibility. Meteorologists said skies were clear when the crash occurred.''
The Thai plane was reported by Thai authorities to be trying to evade a 737 belonging to the Hong Kong-based line, Dragonair, as both planes were approaching the airport.
But in a statement from Hong Kong, Dragon Airlines Ltd. officials said they had spoken to the captain of their aircraft and were ''assured that the Dragonair aircraft was not involved.''
The crashed plane carried nine crew members, 35 Thai passengers, and two children accompanying adults. The foreign passengers were 30 Malaysians, two Americans, two Japanese and three Europeans.
In later reports, the cause of the crash remains unclear, but Thai Airways dropped the claim that the pilot had veered off course to avoid hitting a second aircraft.
Phuket divers say the nosediving plane crashed into the sea about 15 kilometres out from Phuket airport and broke up.
Latest: Phuket Airport Flight Crash Report Released
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One-Two-Go Flies to Phuket Today
Photo Album During the Bangkok airports occupation, banned airline One Two Go was getting ready to resume flying. Today, a flight lands at Phuket airport, scene of a fatal crash in 2007.
One-Two-Go Flies to Phuket Today
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The Director General of Thailand's Department of Civil Aviation has delivered a strongly critical report following the department's investigation of the One Two Go airline and its parent, Orient Thai.
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The crash of One Two Go Flight 269 disturbed a peaceful Phuket Sunday in 2007, just as the tsunami had done a few years previously. Now the tragedy seems destined for extensive international court action in search of justice and the truth.
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Reports of the earlier crash were discovered by a Phuketwan journalist researching the more recent disaster.
Poignantly, the information comes to light at a time of worldwide concern about an Air France flight missing over the Atlantic.
A New York Times article carried an AP account of what took place near Phuket on September 1, 1987:
''A Thai Airways jet on a domestic flight plunged into the sea near Phuket Island today, and officials said they believed all 83 people aboard were killed.
''Two Americans were said to be among the 37 foreigners on the plane, a Boeing 737.
''Spokesmen said 17 bodies were recovered before search operations halted for the night because of high winds and poor visibility. Meteorologists said skies were clear when the crash occurred.''
The Thai plane was reported by Thai authorities to be trying to evade a 737 belonging to the Hong Kong-based line, Dragonair, as both planes were approaching the airport.
But in a statement from Hong Kong, Dragon Airlines Ltd. officials said they had spoken to the captain of their aircraft and were ''assured that the Dragonair aircraft was not involved.''
The crashed plane carried nine crew members, 35 Thai passengers, and two children accompanying adults. The foreign passengers were 30 Malaysians, two Americans, two Japanese and three Europeans.
In later reports, the cause of the crash remains unclear, but Thai Airways dropped the claim that the pilot had veered off course to avoid hitting a second aircraft.
Phuket divers say the nosediving plane crashed into the sea about 15 kilometres out from Phuket airport and broke up.
Phuketwan Air Crash Reports
Latest: Phuket Airport Flight Crash Report Released
Latest The long awaited report on the investigation into the One Two Go crash in 2007 at Phuket airport has been released, criticising the pilots and making recommendations.
Latest: Phuket Airport Flight Crash Report Released
Why Pursuing the Truth Matters for Tourism
Opinion/Analysis Does it matter if the truth is never known about mishaps that kill tourists on and around Phuket? It matters because of trust. Only once the whole truth is told can trust be restored.
Why Pursuing the Truth Matters for Tourism
One-Two-Go Flies to Phuket Today
Photo Album During the Bangkok airports occupation, banned airline One Two Go was getting ready to resume flying. Today, a flight lands at Phuket airport, scene of a fatal crash in 2007.
One-Two-Go Flies to Phuket Today
Survivors Still Await One-Two-Go Crash Report
One year on, what caused Flight 269 to crash at the island's international airport last September 16? Authorities have had access to a full report, but not the survivors or the flying public.
Survivors Still Await One-Two-Go Crash Report
Protest Delays One-Two-Go Crash Report
The work of Government officials is being slowed because the attention of senior people is being diverted by the protest. Now the full One Two Go air crash report has been put back yet again.
Protest Delays One-Two-Go Crash Report
Phuket Victim Welcomes One-Two-Go Report
The major finding of a report on Phuket's One-Two-Go air disaster has been released and one of the survivors believes it will be a step towards closure for many. But questions about the adequacy of pilot training remain.
Phuket Victim Welcomes One-Two-Go Report
DCA Report Lashes One-Two-Go Safety Standards
The Director General of Thailand's Department of Civil Aviation has delivered a strongly critical report following the department's investigation of the One Two Go airline and its parent, Orient Thai.
DCA Report Lashes One-Two-Go Safety Standards
Law Suits Fly As Experts Dither
The crash of One Two Go Flight 269 disturbed a peaceful Phuket Sunday in 2007, just as the tsunami had done a few years previously. Now the tragedy seems destined for extensive international court action in search of justice and the truth.
Law Suits Fly As Experts Dither
I Am Flying Again: Phuket Plane Crash Survivor
A Superman suit and a decompression chamber help a Phuket plane crash victim to fly again. But Robert Borland still wants the answer to one important question: why?
I Am Flying Again: Phuket Plane Crash Survivor
Latest Phuketwan News
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Latest A Singaporean woman charged with murder is expected to appear in a Phuket court, one of several unusual shootings on the island in 2009. Phuketwan updates the dossiers.
Patong Killing: Singapore Woman Set for Court
Head of Phuket's Hongsyok Dynasty Mourned
Latest With his lifetime extending back to the early days of the motorcar, Weerapong Hongsyok will be mourned by many for the part he played in developing Phuket down the generations.
Head of Phuket's Hongsyok Dynasty Mourned
Phi Phi Deaths Riddle 'Linked to Lung Congestion'
Latest With investigations continuing, a US pathologist attributes the mysterious deaths of one of two young women tourists on Phi Phi to a cause related to her lung congestion.
Phi Phi Deaths Riddle 'Linked to Lung Congestion'
Secret 'Quayside' Surprises Phuket Officials
Photo Album A resort developer allegedly destroyed a stretch of Phuket coastline to build a quayside promenade, according to officials. They are surprised the plan stayed secret for so long.
Secret 'Quayside' Surprises Phuket Officials
MediaWATCH: Red Bull Ban May Boost Sales
Latest A ban on Red Bull in parts of Germany may boost US sales; Call for controls on the export baht; Panda birth boost for Chiang Mai tourism; Advocate may pursue Tak Bai justice.
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Latest Time magazine's take on the sex industry makes revealing reading; Thailand's corruption under attack; Survey boosts travel recovery hopes; killer jets to escape; panda cub watch.
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I have also seen sketchy reports from the mid-1980s of a TG flight that crashed into a mountain in Thai Muang while on approach to Phuket. Does anyone have any information on that, such as crash site location and casualty figures?
Posted by James Litorice on June 3, 2009 12:25