This cellphone photo taken on Jan. 14, 2017 shows smokes rising from the crash site of a fighter jet during an air show to mark the National Children's Day at Hat Yai international airport, about 750 km south of Bangkok. A Thai air force's Gripen combat fighter crashlanded on Saturday at an airport in southern Thailand, killing the pilot. (Xinhua)
BANGKOK, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- A Thai air force's Gripen combat fighter crashlanded on Saturday at an airport in southern Thailand, killing the pilot.
The pilot, identified as Sqn. Ldr. Dilokrit Pathavi, was reportedly killed as the Swedish-built JAS 39 Gripen fighter crashlanded at Hat Yai international airport, about 750 km south of Bangkok.
The air force is yet to investigate the incident which occurred during a flight show for local children on the occasion of the National Children's Day.
The airport, primarily open for passenger flights, was temporarily closed for a few hours following the mishap of the Gripen aircraft.
The air force has planned to buy four more JAS 39 Gripen fighters to add to its current squadron of 12, deployed at Air Wing 7 in Surat Thani province in the southern region.
