Khon Kaen-bound Thai Air Force reconnaissance jet crashes, seven dead

NAKHON SAWAN, Nov 8 (TNA) - Attempting to return to base after less than two minutes in the air, a Royal Thai Air Force Learjet 35A aircraft crashed here Wednesday morning, killing all seven officers and airmen on board.

The small aircraft experienced undetermined mechanical difficulties and the pilots requested returning to base for an emergency landing when the jetcrashed and exploded near an airbase in Nakhon Sawan, about 220 km north of Bangkok, police said.

All seven Air Force personnel on board were killed, including the pilots, as they were about to participate in an aerial photography mission in Khon Kaen.

The cause of the crash will be investigated by the Air Force, the authorities said.

TNA