Thai plane crashes on Koh Samui, one dead

FE Team | Published: August 05, 2009 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

A Bangkok Airways plane is seen after it skidded off the runway while attempting to land during heavy rains on Samui island Tuesday. — AP

BANGKOK, Aug 4 (Reuters): A pilot died and at least seven passengers were injured when a commercial plane slid off a runway into a disused control tower on the Thai tourist island of Koh Samui Tuesday, police and aviation officials said.
The Bangkok Airways plane flying from the southern Thai resort of Krabi left the runway while landing in heavy rain.
"The pilot was killed when the plane hit the unmanned control tower," Kanika Kaemawuttanont, director-general of the Department of Aviation, told the reporter.
Hospital staff said two British and two Dutch tourists were among those hurt but none was seriously injured. The plane was carrying 68 passengers and four crew.
Television footage showed minor damage to the front of the ATR-72 twin turboprop plane.
Koh Samui, 700 kms south of Bangkok, is Thailand's third-biggest island and one of the country's most popular holiday destinations.