SAMUI'S PLANE CRASH - Co-pilot in critical condition

Though stable, he will need two operations; survivors happy with care given

The co-pilot of the ill-fated Bangkok Airways flight to Samui is still in critical condition.
Following the accident at the Samui Airport, Thanawat Premruethai was rushed to a local medical facility before being transferred to the Bangkok Hospital in the capital.
As of press time, he was under close observation in the intensive-care unit. Thanawat has internal bleeding in the abdomen, a bruised right lung, torn liver and several broken bones. Doctors are still waiting for results of his brain scan.
"At this point, his condition is stable but he will likely need an operation in the abdomen and chest," Bangkok Hospital CEO Dr Chatree Duangnet said yesterday.
On Monday, the Bangkok Airways plane skidded off the runway at the Samui Airport and hit an unused control tower.
The accident killed chief pilot Chartchai Pansuwan and injured many people on board, including Thanawat.
"I was shocked when I felt the impact. Then I saw a spark of fire and tried my best to jump out of the emergency exit because I was worried the plane would catch fire," a survivor said on condition of anonymity.
Another survivor, British woman Claire Ballantyne, said good safety measures at the Samui Airport allowed officials to quickly contain the fire before it spread. "Thai officials have taken good care of me," the Briton said.
Bangkok Airways president Puttipong Prasarttong-osoth yesterday visited eight of the injured victims at Bangkok Hospital in Samui.
"Other passengers are now lodged in hotels. A team of medical workers and psychiatrists are there to take care of them," Puttipong said.
He extended his condolences to the victims, their families and friends. "I wish them all a speedy recovery," he said.
Puttipong said his company would provide full assistance to Chartchai's family and Thanawat. An investigation is currently underway to see what caused the accident. The plane's black box will also be checked.
At the Cabinet meeting, Transport Minister Sophon Saram said strong winds that caught the plane while it was landing were the likely cause of the accident.
Samui Airport, which was closed immediately after the accident, re-opened yesterday afternoon with the first flight, PG100, leaving Samui at 2pm and arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 3pm.

Source: The Nation

SAMUI'S ACCIDENT-Bangkok Airways crash kills captain, injures 11

A Bangkok Airways turboprop skidded off a runway on the southern resort island of Koh Samui yesterday, killing its pilot and injuring 11 passengers and crew.

Airline president Puttipong Prasarttong-osoth said Captain Chartchai Punsuwan was killed when the aircraft, an ATR72-500, hit an unused air-traffic-control tower.
The co-pilot was injured in the accident, Puttipong said, adding that Chartchai had flown for Bangkok Airways for 19 years.
The captain also had 17 years' experience flying the ATR 72-500.
The accident took place amid heavy rain as the pilots attempted to land.
Eyewitnesses said there was a loud noise when the aircraft hit the tower following the landing, after which a fire broke out that killed the pilot and injured 11 others.
The ATR72-500 can seat 70 passengers.
Koh Samui Airport is closed temporarily while the Civil Aviation Department investigates the cause of the accident.
Puttipong said four passengers received serious injuries: two Britons, one Spaniard and one Italian.
Bangkok Airways' insurers will be responsible for compensation. The aircraft is covered by Bangkok Insurance for US$250 million (Bt8.5 billion).
The airline yesterday cancelled seven flights out of Koh Samui Airport and another seven to the island.
Passengers on Koh Samui were transferred by boat to Surat Thani Airport for charter flights to Bangkok.
Bangkok Airways is allowed to operate 34 flights a day to Koh Samui, while Thai Airways (THAI) has a twice-daily service.
THAI senior executive vice president Narongsak Sanga-pong said the national flag carrier also had to suspend its service to Koh Samui, due to the airport's closure.
As a result, two return flights were suspended, affecting 292 passengers.
Once the airport reopens, the company will resume its normal flight schedule.Treated in hospital
Injured passengers
Bangkok-Samui HospitalThanawat Premrudee, 35, co-pilotLinda Thongkorn, 28, crew memberSupanasa Namjit, 25, crew memberNicolas Havel, 39, BritonPanteli Pantelis, 39, BritonJoyce Goosleng, 26, BritonClaire Ballantye, 38, BritonElodie Lacovangelo, 41, SwissMirella Gastaldi, 39, ItalianBan Don Inter HospitalAbreheam Gzaaf, 42, DutchLucar Gzaaf, 11, Dutch