Weather key focus of Phuket MD-82 crash probe

Recorders retrieved and sent to US National Transportation Safety Board for analysis

Investigators probing the crash of the One-Two-Go Boeing MD-82 on the Thai resort island of Phuket are focusing on weather as a potential key contributing factor, as authorities have revealed that pilots operating other aircraft into Phuket had reported windshear conditions shortly before the accident.

Aeronautical Radio of Thailand vice-president Kumtorn Sirikorn told reporters that one of the pilots of an aircraft that landed 4min before the One-Two-Go MD-82 had reported windshear conditions on the airfield.

Department of Civil Aviation safety director Vutichai Singhamany also said the airport's windshear detection equipment was not functioning properly at the time of the crash. He told local media that tests carried out after the crash indicated the system was not transmitting information to air traffic controllers.

However, the DCA stresses it is too early to draw any conclusions and an official with the government body says all possibilities remain under consideration as the investigation is only in the data-collection phase.

The DCA official, who declines to give his name as he is not authorised to speak to the media, says it is hoped the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder will help provide definitive information as to possible causes. The recorders were due to have been sent to the USA for analysis by the US National Transportation Safety Board. Officials from the board are taking part in the Thai-led investigation.

The aircraft was operating as flight OG269 from Bangkok and it skidded off the 3,000m (9,840ft)-long runway (09/27) on landing shortly before 16:00 on 16 September, crossed a concrete drainage ditch and broke apart as it came to rest against an embankment, bursting into flames. On board were 123 passengers and seven crew, and 89 people are confirmed to have died. Some of the survivors have life-threatening injuries.

Heavy rain and sudden changes in wind speed were reported at the airfield around the time of the crash.

The MD-82 was attempting a runway 27 landing when it crashed. DCA chief Chaisak Angsuwan told the government-run Thai News Agency that the captain of the aircraft may have attempted to abort the landing after touchdown, although this will not be clear until the flight data recorder is decoded. Both pilots died in the crash.

The MD-82 (HS-OMG) was built in 1983, and had been in service with One-Two-Go since March. It was previously operated by TWA and American Airlines.

One-Two-Go launched four years ago as Thailand's first low-cost carrier, operating MD-80-series and Boeing 747 Classic aircraft on domestic routes. It is a subsidiary of Orient Thai Airlines, which mainly operates international services.

Source: Flight International