The word “Experimental”
can clearly be seen in the wreckage at the front of the crash.
Theerarak Suthathiwong
The owner of Pattaya Air Park was killed when the experimental
plane he was flying crashed in Huay Yai.
Nawaporn “Neil” Sawaetwong, 55, sustained critical wounds and broken
bones in the Jan. 12 crash in a tapioca field. He succumbed to his
injuries at Bangkok Hospital Pattaya.
Nawaporn was test-flying a new two-seat plane he brought from England
just two weeks ago. About 15 minutes after takeoff, the aircraft
developed engine problems. Realizing he was going down, Nawaporn radioed
friends his location.
An experienced pilot, the owner of the private air strip had won
numerous awards in royal flying competitions. He also had a long record
of crashes. He was confined to a wheelchair seven months ago after his
16th accident of his career. The 17th proved fatal.
