An Airbus 330-300 operated by Thai Airways International Plc (THAI) slipped off the taxiway while preparing for takeoff at Khon Kaen airport Monday night, halting all airport operations.
An Airbus 330-300 operated by Thai Airways International Plc (THAI) slipped off the taxiway while preparing for takeoff at Khon Kaen airport Monday night, halting all airport operations. No one was hurt in the incident. — Pattanapong Hirunard and Jakkrapan Nathanri
No one was hurt in the incident, and no damage was reported to cargo or baggage. Khon Kaen airport was closed indefinitely, while recovery crews began to dig out the Airbus Tuesday morning.
The airline’s flight TG047 scheduled to fly to Bangkok was taxiing for takeoff at the time of the mishape, about 8pm Monday. The two pilots, 11 other crew members and 246 passengers were safe. The damage to the aircraft was being assessed on Tuesday.
Pratana Patanasiri, THAI’s vice president aviation safety, security and standards department, said the aircraft was making a turn for the runway when a wheel slipped off the tarmac. The plane was unable to move, and the airport had to close runway operations.
Athaya Larpmak, director of Khon Kaen airport, said all passengers transferred the two kilometres from plane back to the terminal building. Some went to a hotel to await a Thai Smile flight to Bangkok on Tuesday, but others demanded ticket refunds so they could cancel their travel plans.
Immediately after the incident, Nok Air fight DD9820 was forced to land in Udon Thani instead of Khon Kaen. The 150 passengers awaiting that plane's return to Bangkok were bused the 110km to Udon Thani to catch their flight.