This is the moment a plane crashed into the sea killing six on board just yards from a luxury hotel along the coast of Thailand this morning.
Terrifying footage captured the Viking DHC-6 Twin Otter plunging into the water in the Cha-am district, around 80 miles southwest of the capital, Bangkok.
Horrified guests at the Baby Grand Hua Hin Hotel watched as the aircraft slammed into the ocean during a ‘parachute practice’ exercise shortly after 8am local time (2am GMT).
Isara Supasa said she heard the plane’s engine and saw it nose dive into the shallow water.
She added: ‘I was shocked and ran onto the beach. There was no sign of life coming from the plane.’
Several locals, along with passing fishermen, rushed over to the wreckage.
Five people were pulled from the water by divers, but they were pronounced dead at the scene.
A sixth person died later in hospital, according to a Royal Thai Police statement on Facebook.
This is the moment a plane crashed into the sea killing six on board just yards from a luxury hotel along the coast of Thailand this morning
Terrifying footage captured the Viking DHC-6 Twin Otter plunging into the water in Hua Hin, around 125 miles south of the capital, Bangkok
Several locals, along with passing fishermen, rushed over to the wreckage. Five people were pulled from the water by divers, but they were pronounced dead at the scene. A sixth person died later in hospital, according to a Royal Thai Police statement on Facebook
The registration of the plane, N964VK, indicates it was operated by the Royal Thai Police.
Authorities are examining the aircraft’s black box data recorder to determine the cause of the crash.
According to officials the crash happened during a test flight for parachute practice.
National Police Chief Police General Kitrat Phanphet said: ‘The Royal Thai Police express their deepest condolences to the brave officers who lost their lives.
He added: ‘The families of the victims will be closely supported and funeral arrangements will be made for them.
‘I have ordered a detailed investigation into the cause of the crash.’
Thai media reported the aircraft went down about 100 metres from the shore in Cha-am district, a popular weekend getaway around 130 kilometres (80 miles) southwest of the capital.
The two pilots killed were identified as Police Colonel Prathan Khiaokham and Police Lieutenant Colonel Panthep Maniwachirangkul.
Pictured: The plane wreckage floating in the water after the crash
Horrified guests at the Baby Grand Hua Hin Hotel (pictured) watched as the aircraft slammed into the ocean during a ‘parachute practice’ exercise shortly after 8am local time (2am GMT)
Another pilot, Police Captain Jaturong Watthanaphaisan, sustained severe injuries and was taken to Hua Hin Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
An engineer, Police Lieutenant Tanawat Mekprasertsuk, and a mechanic, Police Lance Corporal Jirawat Maksakha, were also killed in the incident.
Another mechanic, Police Sergeant Major Prawat Phonhongsa, was injured and remained missing this morning.
It comes after in 2023 an engine erupted into flames on a tourist plane carrying 321 people in Thailand.
The aircraft’s tyres exploded during takeoff, leading to the pilot abruptly aborting the departure.
In the emergency 309 passengers and 12 crew on a Russian tourist plane in Phuket, Thailand, were offloaded and forced to await a new aircraft.
Dramatic pictures and footage showed the Boeing 767-306ER hit by sudden fire due to an ‘engine surge’.
There were reports of a ‘loud bang’ in the takeoff emergency.
The landing gear also ignited in flames on the same right side of the aircraft as the aircraft aborted its departure, said reports.
