Thread: Thai Pilots/Airport Admin Fail To Report Accident!

Anyone flying Thai Airways these days???

Professionalism of THAI cockpit crew questioned after bad landing


http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/21Jul2007_news02.php

The professionalism of Thai Airways International's cockpit crew has been questioned by aviation experts after one of its pilots supposedly failed to report a recent incident in which a THAI aircraft skidded off the runway at Suvarnabhumi airport.
The 260-seat Airbus A300-600 was landing after an afternoon flight from Phuket about two weeks ago in 24-knot winds and rain when it skidded off the left side of the runway, according to industry sources.

Most passengers on board the THAI jetliner were unaware of the incident which caused only minor damage to the aircraft and the runway, with no injuries or fatalities.

The aircraft's left landing gear sank into the soft soil on the edge of the runway before the cockpit crew managed to pull the wheels back up on the tarmac and proceeded to park the plane safely, the sources said.

The jetliner's left-side landing gear and a section of the aircraft's fuselage were damaged, while some guiding lights on the tarmac were broken. The runway underwent a clean-up.

It took 3-4 days to repair the aircraft in a secretive manner and the runway was forced to close for about one hour so that it could be put back into a good and safe working condition, the industry sources said.

Only the higher authorities of the national carrier and the Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT), which operates Suvarnabhumi airport, were informed of the incident, while the new pilot of the aircraft refrained from reporting the incident which sources said he was legally and ethically obliged to do.

Neither were the aviation regulatory bodies, such as the Department of Civil Aviation, officially notified of the matter.

Aviation experts believe that the pilot might have considered it a minor incident or he did not want to tarnish the airline's reputation.

''But it is strange for a pilot not to report such an incident. Even the smallest thing, such as spotting a large bird at the airport, is normally reported to the aviation authorities,'' a veteran pilot said.

The main principle behind the reporting is to alert others about all possible obstacles that could endanger other flights and compromise safety, he said.

The behaviour of the THAI pilot calls into question how the airline is training its cockpit crew and whether they are taking safety standards seriously enough.

Airport officials say they have the whole incident on a videotape and have launched an investigation with a view to claiming compensation from the national carrier.

While several parties have confirmed to the Bangkok Post that the incident did take place, THAI executive vice president Narongsak Sangapong yesterday flatly denied that it ever took place.

''There was no such incident. I have not received any reports about it,'' he stated, insisting the story was based on ''imagination and hearsay''.

''The pilot would have certainly reported to the parties concerned if the incident had really occurred,'' ACM Narongsak said.

Originally Posted by panhunger

A

Airport officials say they have the whole incident on a videotape and have launched an investigation with a view to claiming compensation from the national carrier.

While several parties have confirmed to the Bangkok Post that the incident did take place, THAI executive vice president Narongsak Sangapong yesterday flatly denied that it ever took place.

''There was no such incident. I have not received any reports about it,'' he stated, insisting the story was based on ''imagination and hearsay''.

well shouldnt take long to work out who's telling porkies then.

''The pilot would have certainly reported to the parties concerned if the incident had really occurred,'' ACM Narongsak said.

of course he would

Originally Posted by panhunger

the story was based on ''imagination and hearsay''.

Excellent. Face saved, reality and responsibilty avoided.

These people really are geniuses.
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Originally Posted by panhunger

The behaviour of the THAI pilot calls into question how the airline is training its cockpit crew and whether they are taking safety standards seriously enough.

...just keep wearing yellow boys, and everything will be fine.

Wait until a big one hits, then someone is gonna lose a lot of face.

Remember the fired Post reporters who reported on the runway cracks. Sure they were there but did the guys get their jobs back no. Why? Face, TIT. The ugly parts of Thai society.

Originally Posted by aging one

Wait until a big one hits, then someone is gonna lose a lot of face.

Possible solutions:
1. Blame it on Farangs or Singapore.
2. Compare Thailand favourably with Laos, Cambodia or Myanmar.
3. Open a really big spirit house near where it happens.
4. Wear more amulets.

Originally Posted by robitusson

4. Wear more amulets. __________________

They need a Giant Jatukam as the symbol of the Airport!! As big as the ferris wheel that used to be at Suan Lum.

If it is true, then this may be a scary case of Thais not wanting to interfere with anyones karma. I would put it down to very bad training and poor leadership. There is a line that when crossed, someone has to know how to break the cultural rules and play it by the book. Hiding their heads in the sand will not make the problems go away. Its all fun and games until someone gets hurt...

Originally Posted by greenleaf

someone has to know how to break the cultural rules

"putzes".....so THAT'S the plural....thanks, Nat.

Oh...and Nat:

"...screaming children"

...try to be more patient with the kids. The're just doing what comes naturally....

maybe a large crack in the runway led to the problem........ then they would want to cover it up

I remember a few years ago MAS (Malayasian flag carrier) was nearly banned from landing in Heathrow as they were landing planes with LESS than the emergency min amount of fuel. When it is less than a certain amount you have to declare an emergency. It came out they were landing virtually of fumes. They did that as to save money they put less fuel on the planes at take off (the plane has to acrry that dead wait.)

Asia and safety DONT go together

Originally Posted by greenleaf

If it is true, then this may be a scary case of Thais not wanting to interfere with anyones karma. I would put it down to very bad training and poor leadership. There is a line that when crossed, someone has to know how to break the cultural rules and play it by the book. Hiding their heads in the sand will not make the problems go away. Its all fun and games until someone gets hurt...

The problem with Thai is that it is nepotism and cronyism at its worst. Its all one tight connected group of jerks.

Speaking of tightly-connected circle jerks, at least Thai is still allowed to fly to Europe...unlike Garuda....

But we do have Phuket Air, which was grounded. Planning a comeback I read in the business section a few weeks ago.