A Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft struck a light pole and ended up in nearby bushes after a brake system failure during engine startup procedures at Samui Airport.
The incident occurred around 2:30 PM local time while the C-130, under Squadron 601, Wing 6, was performing a routine training flight route from Don Mueang to Trang, then Samui, before returning to Don Mueang.
Air Vice Marshal Prapas Sonjaidee, RTAF spokesperson, confirmed that during standard engine startup procedures on the ground, the aircraft’s pilot detected a brake system malfunction. Unable to halt the aircraft, it rolled beyond the designated parking area, striking a light pole and coming to rest in surrounding vegetation.
There were 8 crew members and 54 passengers on board — a total of 62 individuals — but remarkably, no injuries were reported.
Authorities quickly secured the scene and launched an investigation into the mechanical failure. Images from the site show the aircraft resting among bushes with visible damage to its nose and front landing gear.
Investigation Underway
The Royal Thai Air Force has grounded similar C-130 aircraft pending preliminary findings. Maintenance crews and aviation experts are now examining the brake systems and operational logs for possible faults.
The RTAF has also emphasized that the crew followed emergency protocols properly, which minimized the potential for serious damage or casualties.
Samui Airport operations experienced minor disruptions, but flights have since resumed normal schedules.
