Two Thai Air Force pilots have died after their aircraft crashed during a routine training flight in northern Thailand, the military has confirmed.
The Thai Air Force plane crash happened on Thursday near the city of Chiang Mai and involved a recently commissioned training aircraft, prompting an official investigation into what went wrong and renewing attention on the risks of military flight training.
The incident has drawn international interest, including in the UK, where Chiang Mai is a well-known travel destination and where aviation safety standards are closely followed.
What happened and who was involved?
The crash involved an AT-6TH Wolverine, a two-seat light attack and reconnaissance aircraft used by the Thai Air Force for advanced pilot training.
The plane went down during a scheduled training mission in Chom Thong district, around 60 kilometres from Chiang Mai airport, within a designated military training area.
Both pilots on board were killed at the scene. No civilians were injured, and there was no damage reported outside the military zone.
Confirming the incident, Thai Air Force spokesperson Air Marshal Jackkrit Thammavichai said the aircraft encountered problems while carrying out routine training drills.
“The aircraft was conducting a training mission when it crashed. Both pilots on board were confirmed dead,” he said.
When and where did the Thai Air Force plane crash occur?
The crash happened on Thursday during daylight hours in northern Thailand. Chom Thong district, where the aircraft came down, lies south-west of Chiang Mai city and is largely rural, with several areas used for military exercises.
🚨 Thailand Expect more the gods of Cambodia are not sleep rather they hitting you guys one by one 🚨
At 10:50 AM on Thursday, January 29, 2026, a tragic accident occurred in Thailand 🇹🇭 involving an AT-6TH Wolverine light attack aircraft. The incident took place in Ban Huai… pic.twitter.com/BsEhqchDol
— OB Vlogs (@OBvlogs) January 29, 2026
Despite Chiang Mai’s status as a busy tourist hub, authorities stressed that the crash site was far from civilian air routes and had no impact on commercial aviation or public safety.
Why is the aircraft type significant?
The AT-6TH Wolverine is a modern turboprop aircraft designed for both training and light combat roles. Thailand recently added the aircraft to its fleet as part of efforts to modernise its air force and improve pilot training standards.
The Thai Air Force operates a total of eight AT-6TH aircraft, with the final plane officially commissioned in September last year.
The aircraft is manufactured by Beechcraft, a US-based company that forms part of Textron Aviation.
Because the aircraft is relatively new to service in Thailand, the crash is likely to be closely examined to determine whether technical issues, training procedures or external factors played a role.
What caused the crash?
At this stage, the cause of the Thai Air Force plane crash remains unknown. Military officials have launched a full investigation, which will examine the aircraft’s maintenance history, flight data, weather conditions at the time of the mission and the actions taken in the cockpit.
⚡️A military aircraft crashed in Thailand during a training flight — both pilots killed
The cause of the crash remains unknown. An investigation is underway, reports Thai outlet Matichon.
The plane burst into flames and was destroyed upon impact.
The Beechcraft AT-6TH… pic.twitter.com/oFjD01koH4
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) January 29, 2026
The Thai Air Force has not confirmed whether similar aircraft have been temporarily grounded, a precaution sometimes taken following fatal training accidents.
How common are military training accidents?
Training missions are among the most demanding flights pilots undertake. Unlike commercial aviation, military training often involves low-altitude manoeuvres, simulated combat scenarios and complex flight patterns, all of which increase risk.
While fatal crashes are rare compared with the number of hours flown, air forces around the world regularly review safety procedures after incidents like this to reduce future risk and protect aircrew.
Why does this matter to the UK?
Although the crash occurred overseas, it carries relevance for UK readers. Chiang Mai is a popular destination for British tourists, particularly during the winter months, and news of any aviation incident in the region often raises concern.
There are also wider implications for aviation safety and defence training, areas where the UK works closely with international partners and follows global best practice standards.
UK authorities have issued no travel warnings, and there is no indication of any risk to British citizens.
