Bangkok Airways crash kills captain, injures 11

Airline president Puttipong Prasarttong-osoth said Captain Chartchai Punsuwan was killed when the aircraft, an ATR72-500, hit an unused air-traffic-control tower.

The co-pilot was injured in the accident, Puttipong said, adding that Chartchai had flown for Bangkok Airways for 19 years.

The captain also had 17 years' experience flying the ATR 72-500.

The accident took place amid heavy rain as the pilots attempted to land.

Eyewitnesses said there was a loud noise when the aircraft hit the tower following the landing, after which a fire broke out that killed the pilot and injured 11 others.

The ATR72-500 can seat 70 passengers.

Koh Samui Airport is closed temporarily while the Civil Aviation Department investigates the cause of the accident.

Puttipong said four passengers received serious injuries: two Britons, one Spaniard and one Italian.

Bangkok Airways' insurers will be responsible for compensation. The aircraft is covered by Bangkok Insurance for US$250 million (Bt8.5 billion).

The airline yesterday cancelled seven flights out of Koh Samui Airport and another seven to the island.

Passengers on Koh Samui were transferred by boat to Surat Thani Airport for charter flights to Bangkok.

Bangkok Airways is allowed to operate 34 flights a day |to Koh Samui, while Thai Airways (THAI) has a twice-daily service.

THAI senior executive vice president Narongsak Sanga-pong said the national flag carrier also had to suspend its service to Koh Samui, due to the airport's closure.

As a result, two return flights were suspended, affecting 292 passengers.

Once the airport reopens, the company will resume its normal flight schedule.

Treated in hospital

Injured passengers

Bangkok-Samui Hospital

Thanawat Premrudee, 35, co-pilot

Linda Thongkorn, 28, crew member

Supanasa Namjit, 25, crew member

Nicolas Havel, 39, |Briton

Panteli Pantelis, 39, Briton

Joyce Goosleng, 26, Briton

Claire Ballantye, 38, Briton

Elodie Lacovangelo, 41, Swiss

Mirella Gastaldi, 39, Italian

Ban Don Inter Hospital

Abreheam Gzaaf, 42, Dutch

Lucar Gzaaf, 11, Dutch