BRENDAN SOBIE / SINGAPORE
Maintenance shortcomings identified after PC-6 crash forces urgent review and leaves 30 aircraft idle
Thailand’s agriculture ministry has grounded its fleet of nearly 30 aircraft after discovering maintenance problems following a Pilatus PC-6 crash late last month.
Industry sources say Pilatus dispatched a safety expert to Thailand to help determine the cause of the crash, which occurred immediately after take-off on a rainmaking mission and killed all four occupants.
Sources say the crash was probably caused by a problem with trim, but it will be at least a few weeks until a report is issued and in the meantime Thailand’s three remaining PC-6s have been grounded
Sources say Thailand’s PC-6 fleet went through an extensive refurbishment only three years ago, but following the crash several maintenance shortcomings were discovered. The agriculture ministry also has temporarily stopped flying its other aircraft to address maintenance problems. Thailand is planning to improve the safety of the rainmaking fleet by introducing strengthened maintenance standards and installing new radars, but it is unclear how long this will take to implement.
Thailand uses about five of its Indonesian Aerospace (IAe)-built C-212s and two Beechcraft King Airs on seasonal high-altitude rainmaking missions above the clouds, while all the PC-6s and Cessna Caravans are used to drop chemicals at lower altitudes below the clouds. The rainmaking fleet is also used to transport cargo and passengers.
The PC-6 crash and subsequent discovery of maintenance problems with the entire agricultural fleet may prompt Thailand to acquire new rainmaking aircraft.
Late last year Thailand tentatively agreed to buy up to six new IAe CN-235s for rainmaking missions and another four for air force transport missions (Flight International, 10-16 January).
Sources say the acquisition of the first rainmaking aircraft may be accelerated and Thailand is now negotiating with IAe a contract for one CN-235 plus five options. The purchase of four air force CN-235s, however, is on hold because of political uncertainty following the prime minister’s resignation early this month.
Source: Flight International
