Pilot killed and another injured after plane crashes on Thai holiday island

A pilot has sadly died and his Russian pupil has been injured after their light aircraft crashed on a Thai holiday island at the weekend.

The pair had taken off from the Phuket Airpark on a UM-22 Quicksilver MX II Sprint suitable for training flights, at around 2pm local time. But they crashed when they lost control of the plane while flying over a village in the Paklok district on Sunday.

Residents said they heard sparks as the blue aircraft snagged on electric cables. They rushed outside and discovered the wreckage on the roadside, with debris strewn across the pavement.

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Emergency services rushed to the scene after receiving a report at 4:10pm concerning the plane crash. They found Thai pilot Surasak Chana, 40, seriously injured and bleeding heavily, while his pupil Sergei Razukov, 36, had suffered head injuries. Both were rushed to Thalang Hospital, but Surasak sadly died from his injuries on Monday morning.

Police Colonel Nikorn Chuthong, Thalang police chief, said: "The initial cause of the crash remains unclear and is currently under investigation. Relevant authorities will be notified of the situation."

He added that the Russian man was a student pilot who had been working in Phuket for five years. The fallen aircraft has now been cleared from the road.

The Phuket Flying Club, a flight training provider where Surasak served as airpark manager, said: "Regarding yesterday's incident, our team would like to express our deepest condolences for the passing of Mr. Oh, our airport manager and flight instructor, and wish him peace.

"The cause of the accident is still under investigation, so we cannot provide further details. The flight student on board is safe. The team will announce the funeral arrangements once they are confirmed. The family and staff would like to thank you for all the love and support you have shown during this time."