The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) finds itself under the microscope amid allegations that it granted an airworthiness certificate to an aircraft that wasn’t fit to soar the skies. Kajonpat Maklin, CAAT’s deputy director overseeing civil aviation safety, disclosed yesterday that social media has been abuzz with concerns about potentially substandard aircraft repairs and the subsequent issuance of said certificate. The aircraft at the center of this storm is a Commander 114, a petite four-seater private plane, which had undergone an inspection on December 6, 2023, and received its airworthiness rubber stamp on January 12, 2024.
The process of dolling out an airworthiness certificate is no cakewalk. It entails scrutinizing maintenance history, ensuring compliance with airworthiness directives, and adhering to manufacturer safety protocols. Each nook and cranny of the aircraft is examined to ascertain it’s functioning safely and efficiently. Once the CAAT gives its nod of approval, the onus of maintaining the aircraft’s safety falls squarely on its owner and technicians, Maklin explained.
However, if the aircraft owner suspects that the ground engineers cut corners, flouting aviation law, the matter could be escalated to CAAT for more probing and potential action. Curiously, even without a formal complaint lodged by the owner, CAAT had already rolled up its sleeves and plunged into investigating the matter, underscoring its commitment to safety.
Enter Warat Laithong, a YouTuber and the proud—if not slightly perturbed—owner of the Commander 114 in question. Warat revealed in a Facebook post on Wednesday that he had acquired the aircraft two years ago, only to embark on a whirlwind journey of seemingly endless repairs and maintenance by various certified teams. Fast forward two years, the maintenance team baton had been passed around up to three times. The latest team, on April 21, assured him that his beloved plane was airworthy, brandishing a CAAT airworthiness certificate as proof.
Yet, during a test flight, Warat encountered a series of hair-raising issues. The most alarming of them all? An overspeeding propeller and an unsteady speed. Warat and a friend piloted the Commander 114 to Bang Phra, an airport in Chon Buri, where the technical team swiftly diagnosed the problem—a botched installation of the prop governor.
For the uninitiated, the prop governor is a nifty gizmo that automatically tweaks the angle of the propeller blades, ensuring the engine speed remains rock-steady across fluctuating flight conditions. This improper installation was the tip of the iceberg. A meticulous re-evaluation of the aircraft unveiled a lengthy, jaw-dropping list of faults, making you wonder—how did this bird even get a pass?
As the CAAT delves deeper into this aviation enigma, one thing is crystal clear: stringent measures and sharp scrutiny are paramount to keeping the skies safe. In a realm where the margin for error could be the thin line between life and death, both aviation authorities and aircraft owners must navigate the cloud of responsibilities with unparalleled precision and diligence.
This is a colossal failure by CAAT. How can they issue a certificate without a thorough inspection?
It’s not just an inspection failure; it’s a systemic issue. It’s clear that there are loopholes being exploited.
Exploited or just plain negligence? Either way, it’s terrifying to think of the consequences.
Exactly, negligence at this level puts countless lives at risk. This needs international oversight.
Can we just acknowledge the self-regulation problem? This isn’t the first time authorities have overlooked crucial flaws.
Self-regulation is a double-edged sword. They should definitely have independent audits.
Independent audits would add an extra layer of safety, but who oversees them? It’s a complex web.
Warat should have been more cautious. Trusting multiple teams is risky in aviation.
Blaming the victim isn’t fair. He trusted professionals. The system let him down.
True, but he should have been more vigilant. It’s his plane, after all.
AnnieK is right. Responsibility lies with the certification authority. They must do better.
The prop governor problem basically means the plane is a deathtrap! How did that slip through?
Mechanics with lackluster training or just in a hurry to clear the backlog. Sad reality.
Failure at multiple levels; both mechanics and CAAT officials should be held responsible.
Absolutely, heads should roll. This kind of negligence is unacceptable.
Does anyone think there might be corruption involved?
Always a possibility, especially when certificates are involved. Who knows what’s happening behind the scenes.
Agreed, someone might have pocketed a nice bribe. Needs thorough investigation.
Yes, nothing should be off the table when it comes to safety.
Another high-profile YouTuber leveraging fame to expose corruption. Good for Warat!
Celebrities have the power to shine a light on these issues. More power to them!
Yes, but remember, fame should come with responsibility. Warat did the right thing here.
Or maybe he just wants more views and subscribers. Just saying.
This highlights the grinding bureaucratic issues. Even air safety isn’t insulated from red tape.
People are too quick to point fingers. Warat just wanted a functional plane.
Given how frequently aviation and maintenance teams change, consistency is key. How can regulation keep up?
Good point. Turnover rates in aviation maintenance are worrying. Training needs improvement.
Indeed, and continuity of care for aircraft is crucial for ongoing safety.
Also, there’s the issue of proper documentation. Without it, maintenance history can be sketchy.
Better oversight and stricter penalties should be in place for such blatant failures.
Yes, stricter regulations would deter careless practices.
But too many regulations can also stifle the industry. Balance is crucial.
Warat’s frustration is justified. Imagine putting your life and money into something and getting this result.
Absolutely, it’s both financially and emotionally draining.
Exactly, aviation is already stressful without these extra issues.
This whole situation makes me question flying private versus commercial. Safety standards seem sketchier.
I’m glad Warat made this public. CAAT needs a wakeup call.
Public scrutiny often leads to better practices. Hope CAAT reevaluates its procedures.