THAI new Airbus skids off runway in Phuket storm landing

PHUKET: A THAI Airways new Airbus A350 carrying 138 passengers and 14 crew members on board skidded off the runway while landing in strong wind and heavy rain at Phuket International Airport last night (Sept 21).

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By Eakkapop Thongtub

Thursday 22 September 2016, 09:05AM

An Airbus 350 XWB model bearing the Thai Airways logo rolls out of the paint shop. Two of them will be delivered to the national flag carrier in August and September. Photo: Courtesy of Airbus

No people were injured in the incident.

THAI Flight TG 221 left Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok at 6:15pm and was making its landing in Phuket at 7:35pm when the aircraft skidded on touchdown and its left-side landing gear tracked into the verge beside the runway.

The landing gear suffered minor damage, but the pilot quickly brought the aircraft back under full control and safely brought the plane to rest on the apron.

Authorities are investigating the incident. Early reports say the low-level wind shear may have caused the accident.

Phuket International Airport Director Monrudee Gettuphan said, “The incident was really just a minor accident. After the aircraft landed, we had our staff check the it and we also closed the runway until our staff confirmed it was safe to re-open.

Ms Monrudee explained, “We found grass stuck in the left landing gear and four tracks on the tyre were damaged. Three runway lights were also damaged. Staff discovered pieces of broken glass from landing lights on the runway, so we closed the runway to clear the area. The runway was re-opened at 10:10pm.

“The Airbus A350 will remain here for at least 12 hours so we can thoroughly check it for safety. All passengers and crew are safe, there were no injuries. The cause of the accident is under investigation,” she added.

THAI Airways International issued a statement explaining that an alternative aircraft conducted the scheduled return flight the new Airbus was to perform and that an investigation into the incident was underway.