Six police officers lost their lives when their aircraft crashed into the sea during a test flight for parachute training near a popular beach in Thailand on Friday, April 25, 2025.
The small plane was observed descending into the water around 8:00 a.m. local time (1:00 GMT) in the Cha-am district, a coastal resort area located roughly 80 miles southwest of Bangkok.
According to Royal Thai Police spokesperson Archayon Kraithong, five officers died at the crash site, while the sixth officer, identified as the pilot, was transported to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
The aircraft, identified as a Viking DHC-6 Twin Otter, crashed near Hua Hin Airport in Prachuab Kiri Khan province. Photos from the site show the wreckage floating approximately 110 yards offshore, with the fuselage broken in two upon impact. Reports suggest the no.2 (right hand) engine failed, causing the aircraft to spin nose down into the sea.
Witnesses at the Baby Grand Hua Hin Hotel saw the aircraft descend into the Gulf of Thailand. One witness stated, “I was shocked and ran onto the beach. There was no sign of life coming from the plane.”
Local media reported that individuals were seen wading into the sea toward the crash site, while online footage captured the moment the plane hit the water.
The Royal Thai Police confirmed via Facebook that all six victims were police officers.
The officers who died include the pilot, Police Colonel Prathan Kheawkham; two other pilots, Police Lieutenant Colonel Parntep Maneewachirakun and Police Sub-Lieutenant Chaturong Wattanapraisarn; an engineer, Police Sub-Lieutenant Thanawat Mekprasertsuk; and two mechanics, Police Sergeant Major Prawat Phonhongsa and Police Lance Corporal Jirawat Maksakha.
Police Sub-Lieutenant Chaturong Wattanapraisarn initially survived the crash but died at the hospital after surgery.
Witnesses reported hearing a sound resembling an engine explosion before the aircraft went down. The plane had recently taken off from Bo Fai Airport on a test flight when the incident occurred.
Police Chief Kitrat Phanphet, who visited the site with other officials, stated that preliminary findings indicate the plane was heading toward residential areas but the pilots managed to navigate it toward the sea, potentially preventing additional casualties.
Phanphet stated that the families of the victims would receive close support during this challenging time. The Royal Thai Police Commissioner-General has ordered full assistance for the families and the arrangement of dignified funeral rites.
An investigation has been initiated to determine the cause of the crash. Archayon Kraithong mentioned that officials are collecting evidence, including data from the plane’s black box flight recorder.
Rescue teams were promptly deployed to the scene, but the severity of the crash left little chance for saving the officers.
Recovery operations continued throughout Friday, with authorities successfully retrieving the wreckage from the sea. Photos taken later in the day showed the plane wreckage partially submerged in shallow water.
The aircraft was on a test flight specifically to prepare for parachute training exercises when the accident took place.
This incident follows another air accident in the region a few weeks prior, involving a medical helicopter in Japan that crashed into the sea. In that case, three people died, while three others, including the pilot, were rescued by the coast guard.
The Commissioner-General has also ordered a swift and comprehensive investigation to uncover all facts related to the Thailand crash and to implement measures that might prevent similar incidents in the future.
