A small police plane crashed into the sea near a popular beach town in Thailand on Friday, resulting in the deaths of all six people on board. The aircraft was conducting a test flight in preparation for parachute training in Hua Hin district when it went down around 8 a.m., according to Royal Thai Police spokesperson Archayon Kraithong.
Although the model of the plane has not yet been confirmed, images from the scene suggest it was a Viking DHC-6 Twin Otter. The crash occurred near Hua Hin Airport, as reported by the public relations department of Prachuab Kiri Khan province.
The wreckage was found about 100 meters (330 feet) off the coast, with the plane appearing to be split into two parts. All six individuals on board were police officers. Five were confirmed dead at the scene, and the pilot later passed away at the hospital.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation, with authorities collecting evidence, including data from the plane’s black box.
