Rescuers work at the site of a small plane crash in Chachoengsao province, Thailand, Aug. 23, 2024. (Photo/Agencies) (ECNS) -- A small passenger plane on a domestic flight in Thailand crashed Thursday afternoon after taking off from Bangkok, according to local officials.
The country’s civil aviation authority announced that all nine people aboard had been killed, including five Chinese passengers, two Thai flight attendants, and a Thai pilot and co-pilot. Among the five Chinese passengers, two were minors. The Thai Civil Aviation Authority stated that the Cessna Caravan C208B turboprop plane had been operated by Thai Flying Service Company.
The plane took off from Suvarnabhumi International Airport at 2:46 p.m. Eleven minutes later, air traffic control lost radio and radar contact with the aircraft, which crashed at 3:18 p.
m. The 10-15 seat single-engine turboprop multi-purpose light utility aircraft is produced by U.S.
-based Cessna Aircraft Company. It was first launched on Dec. 9, 1982, received FAA certification on Oct.
23, 1984, and entered mass production and service in 1985. In China, several Cessna Caravan C208B aircraft are also in operation, though most are owned by general aviation companies. The crashed private plane belongs to the luxury hotel Soneva Kiri.
Guests arriving at Bangkok International Airport must take a private plane to reach this island resort hotel. The cause of the accident is still under investigation..