Investigative team expands as international specialists join the inquiry on the police airplane crash incident.
Updated Article:
Prachuap Khiri Khan: International aviation whizzes have jumped on board the government's mission to decode the black box of the police chopper that plunged into the ocean near Hua Hin, claiming the lives of six officers a few weeks back.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Naruepanart Assadinyadech of Hua Hin Police shared that aviation whizzes from Canadian plane manufacturer De Havilland Aircraft of Canada (DHC) and the Singaporean engine producer, alongside forensic analysts, are ready to crack the code of the black box, which miraculously survived the crash unscathed.
Officials are racing against time to tug the wreckage into a temporary storage area at Naresuan Camp by the end of the week. Plans are in motion to transport the debris to the Royal Thai Police Aviation Division in Bangkok over the weekend for a deeper probe.
The aircraft that went down on that fateful day was a Twin Otter DHC-6-400, which had commenced its duties since 2020. It was one of three Twin Otters used by the police for transport, airdrops, and search and rescue operations. The aircraft could accommodate as many as 19 passengers and take off from runways with shorter lengths.
Crash Context and Initial Response:- The accident unfolded during a post-maintenance test flight shortly after takeoff from Hua Hin Airport back in April. The aircraft nose-dived into the sea near the shoreline, ending the lives of six officers - three pilots, two mechanics, and an aircraft engineer - at around 8:15 AM local time[4][1].- Before the flight, the aircraft experienced some technical glitches, specifically with the wing strut and control stick systems. It underwent systematic repairs to ensure airworthiness[3][1].
Investigation Team and International Involvement:- Following the crash, the Royal Thai Police (RTP) swiftly set up an investigative squad and delegated them with the task of uncovering the reasons behind the disaster. Local aviation investigators and experts are part of this team.- Given that the aircraft model, the DHC-6-400 Twin Otter, is manufactured by Viking Air in Canada and equipped with Canadian Pratt & Whitney engines and Honeywell avionics, international experts from Canada have been enlisted to contribute technical help and expertise to the investigation.- Additionally, aviation experts from Singapore have been roped in, possibly due to Singapore’s regional aviation safety capabilities and its experience with similar aircraft or accident investigations[1][3].
Focus Areas in the Investigation:- The hunt is on for the mechanical systems that malfunctioned, especially the control stick and elevator system, which are crucial for aircraft stability and maneuverability. The peculiar nose dive and the chopper's sudden loss of directional control are top concerns[1][3].- Investigators are poring over maintenance records, scrutinizing repair quality, examining adherence to safety directives, and diving into the flight data available from the aircraft systems.- Ongoing recovery efforts aim to salvage debris and potentially, flight recorders from the ocean, while preserving evidence meticulously to avert contamination[3].
Objectives and Expected Outcomes:- The primary aim of the investigation is to unearth the technical reasons behind the crash to stop similar occurrences in the future.- The Royal Thai Police are keen to accelerate the investigation process, delivering facts swiftly to support families mourning their losses.- The involvement of international experts ensures an exhaustive and unbiased technical evaluation, incorporating manufacturer insights and regional expertise for a comprehensive understanding of the crash[3][1].
In essence, the crash investigation is a joint venture spearheaded by the Royal Thai Police, enlisting Canadian and Singaporean aviation pros to analyze the post-maintenance test flight accident of the DHC-6-400 Twin Otter. The focus lies on mechanical fault analysis, evidence preservation, and adherence to safety protocols, with a focus on preventing recurrence[1][3][4].
- Industry experts from Canada, who specialize in manufacturing the DHC-6-400 Twin Otter aircraft, and Singapore, with a reputation for regional aviation safety, have joined the finance sector to fund the investigation in the transportation industry, aiming to uncover the causes of the aviation accident.
- As the investigation progresses, it will involve close collaboration between individuals from various sectors, including finance, transportation, and aviation, to ensure a thorough analysis of the mechanical issues, adherence to safety protocols, and the prevention of future similar incidents in the industry.
