One Month To Investigate Royal Thai Air Force' Gripen Fighter Crash At Hat Yai Airshow

The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) is expected to take a month to investigate the cause of the fighter aircraft that went down killing the pilot during a children’s day airshow at the souther airbase of Hat Yai on Saturday.

RTAF Security Office director Vice Air Marshal Sorakit Mangsing said one month was needed to investigate numerous factors which could have caused the incident.

"Numerous factors must be studied, including the pilot's condition, the environment and others. It also has to take into account science and engineering. Preliminary investigations has not indicated the cause," Sorakit was quoted as saying by Bernama Sunday.

The JAS 39 Gripen  was maneuvering over the airbase when it suddenly lost altitude, slammed into the ground and exploded. The pilot, 34-year-old Group Capt. Dilokrit Patawee, did not eject, khaosod reported Saturday.