Thai Airways Flight 261 crashes near Surat Thani Airport
December 11th, 1998
December 11th, 1998

How Long Ago?
26 years, 3 months, 4 days ago
Location
Surat Thani, Thailand
Category
Accidents & Tragedies
Links & References
- Spatial disorientation
- Airbus A310
- Thai Airways International Flight 261
- Surat Thani International Airport
Tags
Thai Airways Flight 261 crashes near Surat Thani Airport
Thai Airways Flight 261, an Airbus A310-200, encountered difficulties shortly before landing at Surat Thani Airport, resulting in a crash that claimed 101 lives. The incident is attributed to the pilot's possible spatial disorientation during an attempted approach to the airport. The flight was carrying various passengers, including tourists and locals, contributing to the tragedy's broader implications for air safety regulations in the region.
Flight from Bangkok to Surat Thani encountered trouble.
101 people on board lost their lives in the crash.
Pilot's spatial disorientation is a suspected cause.
Event led to reforms in aviation safety protocols.
What Happened?
Thai Airways Flight 261 was scheduled to operate a domestic flight from Bangkok to Surat Thani in southern Thailand. Onboard were 101 individuals, comprising passengers and crew members. As the aircraft neared Surat Thani Airport, it began its descent but faced inclement weather conditions, including low visibility due to rain and heavy cloud cover. Just before landing, the aircraft began to deviate from its intended flight path. The pilot, who was reportedly experienced in navigating the route, may have suffered from spatial disorientation as a result of the challenging flying environment, which led to the plane crashing into a rubber plantation near the airport. Rescue teams quickly mobilized to the crash site, but sadly, no survivors were found among the victims.The crash raised serious concerns regarding pilot training and flight safety protocols at Thai Airways. Investigators from the Thai Civil Aviation Authority, alongside international experts, analyzed the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder to piece together the events leading to the disaster. Findings suggested that although the pilot had extensive knowledge of the aircraft and the surrounding area, adverse weather conditions contributed to the loss of situational awareness, which is critical in aviation safety. The incident emphasized the need for stringent adherence to flight safety measures, effective communication within the cockpit, and enhanced training for pilots on handling spatial disorientation.
Why Does it Matter?
The crash of Thai Airways Flight 261 is significant as it highlighted the critical importance of aviation safety training and protocols in the context of commercial flying. Following the incident, the aviation industry in Thailand and beyond saw an increased emphasis on better training for pilots, particularly in managing adverse weather conditions, and awareness of spatial disorientation risks during flight operations. The event served as a catalyst for safety reforms that sought to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
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