Thai F-5E crashed, pilot killed

[Tintin]

UBON RATCHATHANI, 23 December 2009 (NNT) – A Royal Thai Air Force fighter F-5E crashed into a swamp in the northeastern province of Ubon Ratchathani this morning, resulting in the death of the pilot.

RTAF Spokesperson, Gp Capt Monthon Satchukorn, stated that the fighter belongs to Air Squadron 211, Division 21. It reportedly crashed into a swamp in Baan Thapheng, =censored= Khaopun District, Ubon Ratchathani at 11.55 hrs today.

Flying Officer Chatchawan Rasamee, the pilot, was confirmed dead upon the preliminary inspection. The RTAF has already sent in a team to investigate the scene.

The police’s investigation team said the cause of the accident was not clear and they were not sure whether there was an explosion prior to the fall or not.


Reporter : Rungkarn Rujiwarangkul
News Date : 23 December 2009

[Le Addeur noir]

One of 14 F-5 operated by Wing 21,211 Squadron (11 F-5E and 3 F-5E) according to a report carried in the Bangkok Post on 24 December.

According to very relaible sources,the 11 F-5E operated by 211 Sqn are

Kh18Kh-19/24 21119
Kh18Kh-20/24 21120
Kh18Kh-21/24 21121
Kh18Kh-23/24 21123
Kh18Kh-24/24 21124
Kh18Kh-27/24 21127
Kh18Kh-28/24 21128
Kh18Kh-29/24 21129
Kh18Kh-30/24 21130
Kh18Kh-32/24 21132
Kh18Kh-34/24 21134

Hopefully after the upcoming Children's Day shows in a couple of weeks and the major RTAF exercises in the next few months,the identity of the crashed airplane should become clearer.

[Le Addeur noir]

The serial for this airplane has been confirmed as Kh18K-18/24 code 21118,which is NOT one of the airplanes listed above.This F-5E has been seen flying in recent years.

Well it looks like they operate 11 F-5E in this squadron,now.