Thai navy helicopter crash kills all 9 aboard

Bangkok, Mar 23: A Thai navy helicopter returning from a training flight drill crashed and burst into flames today, killing all nine men aboard, a navy spokesman said.

The Bell 214 ST crashed in a rice field in Surin province, 460 km northeast of Bangkok, as it was returning to its eastern base in U-Tapao, he said.

''Initially, we believe an engine malfunction might have brought down the chopper,'' the spokesman told Reuters.

He did not know how old the helicopter was, but said the navy had used it for 11 years after receiving it from the army.

Reuters