Narathiwat Airport-
A Royal Thai Navy plane, a Fokker F-27 coming from U-Tapao International Airport experienced a landing gear malfunction while attempting to land at Narathiwat Airport yesterday, August 11, in the afternoon.
Two pilots, Commander Chatchawan Prasitwet and Lieutenant Kobkit Santikul, alerted the airport’s rescue teams and firefighters to stand by before they decided to perform an emergency landing on runway 02 without a front wheel.
The aircraft landed safely with minor damage. Eleven crew members and pilots were also reportedly safe.
Thawee Kesisamang, Director-General of the Department of Airports, said that Narathiwat Airport would temporarily close the runway until 6:00 AM today, August 12, in order to relocate the aircraft and had issued a notice to all aircraft to land at Hat Yai International Airport instead.
The director-general told the Associated Press: “Thai Smile Flight WE 291 and WE 292 arranged free shuttle buses to take passengers from Narathiwat to Hat Yai airports. Passengers could also reschedule their flights without any additional fee.”
Narathiwat Airport is expected to operate functionally after today August 12, according to the director-general statement. The incident is under investigation and repair crews are looking into why the landing gear did not properly function.