NTSB On Way To Assist Crash Investigation

A Thai MD-82 attempting to land in heavy rain, went down Sunday on approach to Phuket, Thailand. Carrying 130 people, the airliner broke apart on impact, leaving losses of 87 known dead, as Sunday came to a close.

Listed as flight OX 269, the Bangkok-based One-Two-Go air carrier was approaching to land Sunday afternoon when it went off the runway, and broke into at least two major fuselage segments. A fire ensued. Initial reports indicate the pilots of the flight were in the process of aborting their approach in heavy rain and poor visibility when the tail of the aircraft impacted the ground.

Survivors and witnesses confirmed that weather conditions were bad when the aircraft attempted landing. Thai national Nong Khaonual is one of dozens now known to have survived, along with his wife. His televised statement noted that, "Just before we touched the runway we felt the plane try to lift up, and it skidded off the runway... My wife was half conscious and I dragged her out of the emergency exit. There was a man behind us and he was on fire." Khaonual confirmed that the post-impact fire 'quickly broke out,' and filled the cabin with smoke and flames.

"You could tell there was a problem. The plane was flying around trying to land. It was making some noises and it was bad rain," according to an Irish passenger interviewed on Thailand's ITV.

NTSB To Assist Thailand Investigation Into Crash Of A MD-82

The National Transportation Safety Board is assisting the government of Thailand in its investigation of today's crash of a MD-82 in Phuket, Thailand. 

The accident occurred at 4 pm local time when an One-Two Go Airways MD-82, 0G269 (Thailand registered), ran off the departure end of the runway while landing in heavy rain and strong winds. There were 123 passengers and five crew on board. 

Multiple fatalities and injuries have been reported.
 
NTSB Chairman Mark V. Rosenker has designated investigator Jill Andrews as the U.S. Accredited Representative. She will be accompanied by representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration, Boeing, and Pratt & Whitney.

The Thailand government will release all information on the progress of the investigation.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov