Royal Thai Air Force C-130 Crashes After Brake Failure at Samui Airport
A Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) C-130 Hercules transport plane slammed into a light pole and ended up in bushes after its brakes failed during engine start-up at Samui Airport.
Brake System Failure Sparks Incident
The mishap happened around 2:30 PM local time as the aircraft prepared for a routine training flight from Don Mueang to Trang, then Samui, and back. The plane, part of Squadron 601, Wing 6, couldn’t stop when its pilot spotted a brake malfunction. It rolled past the parking area and smashed into a light pole, finally resting in the nearby vegetation.
No Injuries Despite Dramatic Crash
Miraculously, none of the 62 people on board — including 8 crew and 54 passengers — were hurt. Air Vice Marshal Prapas Sonjaidee, the RTAF spokesperson, confirmed the crew followed emergency protocols correctly, preventing serious damage or casualties.
Investigation Launched, Similar Planes Grounded
Authorities acted fast, securing the scene and launching an investigation into the brake failure. Photos reveal the damaged aircraft lodged in bushes, with harm to the nose and front landing gear. The RTAF has grounded all similar C-130s pending the results. Maintenance teams and aviation experts are combing through brake systems and flight logs to find the cause.
Airport operations were briefly disrupted but have now returned to normal.
