Today one year ago, the One-Two-Go Airline’s Flight OG 269 from Bangkok crashed and burst into flames on landing at Phuket International Airport at around 3.40pm. The pilot had decided to land in extremely severe & windy weather. During the time, factors like ‘wind shear’ were widely spoken of as the wind was extremely bad during the landing time. This was the first major accident at the airport in its history. The plane carried 130 passengers and crew and the accident killed 90 people of many nationalities, including Australians, Iranians, Israelis, British, Americans and Thais. An official investigation plus inquiries by victims’ families had been going on for almost a year before the Thai Department of Civil Aviation revealed the investigation result for the cause of the crash as bad weather & pilot error. For the peace of mind in residents and staff, a Buddhist symbol statue is now established near the airport not long after the accident. Chavalert and Chavit Jit-jam-nong, a father and son, were among survivors, but they lost their loved one, a wife and a mother. He said ‘Now my father looks after me. I’m better. I don’t want to remember that last moment. I meant to turn to wake mum up, but there was no time. It was so swift. It still haunts me, in only one image.’ Chavit told us that safety belts are very important. He admitted that he usually put on a loose belt, but that fatal day he did it right, so that prevented him from getting any head injuries.

Andaman News visited the Phuket Airport Control Tower to observe their operation. The director of Air Traffic Control insisted that their operation meets high international standards. He said they use the same universal air traffic standards and that they are members of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). Before any flight takes off or lands, pilots will follow flying manuals and many positions are involved like ground control, local control, area control centre and pilot (who makes the final decision). The airport General Manager Wicha Nernlop also assured us of the airport’s highest safety procedures. As last year’s accident occurred during severe weather, the manager insists that wind shear machines are in use, with 6 wind shear positioned at the various corners of the airport. He however stressed that the decision to land or not to land rests on a pilot: The airport manager said that it was such a terrible accident which no one wanted to happen. After it occurred, it was the swift rescue to save lives and recovery that they focused on and they did quite well with all units and agencies concerned. At least there were some survivors who they managed to rescue and took great care of. The airport was cleared and reopened within 48 hours.’ As a survivor, Chavit stills thinks the terrible weather was the main cause, with of course the pilot’s fatal decision, and that his own & his father’s survival was due to consciousness and not panicking.

Today a private memorial service will be held in honor of the victims at 3– 6 pm. The ceremony will be held on the Nai Yang beach beside the runway apron at the southwest end of Phuket Airport, near a tsunami memorial as well. There will be a Buddhist service, placement of a spirit house and reading of passenger names at 3.40pm. Members and friends of families’ victims are invited to join there. For those that cannot make it there, you can take one minute of silence to remember the victims of Phuket’s air crash on 16 September 2007.