2025 Royal Thai Police DHC-6 crash

The 2025 Royal Thai Police DHC-6 crash occurred on April 25. A Viking de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter crashed shortly after take-off during a test flight at Hua Hin Airport. The accident happened due to a double engine failure, causing the aircraft to spin nose down into the sea and crash, killing all three crew members and three passengers.
Background
Aircraft
The aircraft involved was a De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter operated by the Royal Thai Police Wing, registered as 36964, manufactured in 2017 with Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 turboprop engines.
Passengers and crew
The three passengers and three crew members were Thai nationals and were Royal Thai Police personnel: three pilots (serving as flight crew), two mechanics, and one aircraft engineer.
The pilot in command was Colonel Prathan Khieokham, and the first officer was Lieutenant Colonel Panthep Manitchirangkun. The second officer was Lieutenant Colonel Chaturong Wattanapraisarn. The aircraft engineer was Lieutenant Thanawat Mekprasertsuk. The two mechanics were Sergeant Prawat Phonhongsa and Lance Corporal Jirawat Maksakha.
Crash
The aircraft took off from Hua Hin Airport for a test flight, but the plane lost both engines while taking off. The aircraft lost balance and crashed into the sea near Cha-am Beach, killing all six occupants. Second officer Lieutenant Colonel Chaturong Wattanapraisarn, initially survived, but later died due to serious injuries.
Investigation
Police Lieutenant Colonel Naruepanart Assadinyadech of Hua Hin Police stated that experts from Canadian aircraft manufacturer De Havilland Aircraft of Canada (DHC) and the Singaporean engine producer, along with forensic officials, would examine the aircraft's black box, which was recovered in good condition.
See Also
* List of aviation accidents and incidents involving a De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter

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