Hong Kong - Bangkok

On July 9, 1969 at 12:00 AM, Hong Kong - Bangkok experienced a crash involving Sud-Aviation SE-210 Caravelle, operated by Thai Airways International, with the event recorded near Bangkok-Don Mueang Bangkok City District.

The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

75 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 75 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 0.0%.

Crew on board: 7, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 68, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. The approach to Bangkok-Don Mueang Airport was completed by the copilot in poor weather conditions (low visibility and heavy rain falls due to tropical storm) when the ILS equipment failed. It was decided to continue the approach and at an altitude of 700 feet, the pilot-in-command was able to locate the runway lights. At this time, the aircraft was slightly too high on the glide and too far to the left. Once the altitude of 300 feet was reached on descent, the IAS was 127 knots, about five knots above the planned speed. Thus, the copilot decided to reduce the speed to 122 knots when the airplane suddenly lost height. The captain elected to regain control but it was too late. With a relative high sink rate, the airplane landed very hard, causing both main landing gear to puncture the wings. The aircraft came to rest after a course of several hundred yards. While all 75 occupants escaped uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Aircraft reference details include registration HS-TGK, MSN 34, year of manufacture 1960.