History of the Flight
On 22 April 2019 at approximately 08:48 p.m., a pilot and co-pilot operated Thai Smile Airways flight WE050 from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Khon Kaen Airport. The Airbus A320-200, registration HS-TXK, carried 4 crew and 114 passengers (total 120). At about 09:04 p.m., while at FL270 (approximately 27,000 feet) and 109 nautical miles northeast of Suvarnabhumi Airport, the pilot deviated left of a cloud formation, using visual and radar to confirm clear weather. The aircraft then began to vibrate violently; the pilot reduced speed from 270 to 240 knots and activated the seatbelt sign. Flight attendants were serving beverages at the time. The inflight manager returned to seat 1L and announced for passengers to take seats and fasten seatbelts. Two crew members in the middle cabin returned to seats 2L and 2R at the rear. When the 2R flight attendant returned to her position, she found another flight attendant still in the aft galley assisting with item storage. During continued violent vibration, the 2R flight attendant fell near exit 2R and could not get up. She reported back injury to the inflight manager, who informed the pilot. The pilot contacted company ground staff. Approximately 20 minutes later, the aircraft landed at Khon Kaen Airport.
Injuries to Persons
One crew member sustained a serious injury. No passengers or other crew were injured. The injury was diagnosed via MRI as a fracture of the second spinal joint above the hip.
Damage to Aircraft
None. The licensed aircraft engineer inspected the aircraft per the maintenance manual and found no damage. The aircraft was certified airworthy and returned to Suvarnabhumi Airport on 23 April at 07:00 a.m.
Personnel Information
The pilot, aged 54, held an Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) issued in 2007, valid until 31 October 2022, with ratings including PIC for A320-200. Total flight time was 9,060 hours, with 3,418 hours on the A320-200. The co-pilot, aged 36, held an ATPL issued in 2018, valid until 1 August 2023, with a co-pilot rating for A320-200. Total flight time was 3,601 hours, with 3,391 hours on the A320-200. Both held valid Class 1 medical certificates with no limitations. Their last Pilot Proficiency Checks were in February 2019.
Aircraft Information
The Airbus A320-200, serial number 5892, was manufactured in 2013. It was owned by AWAS 5892 Limited and operated by Thai Smile Airways Company Limited (now Thai Airways International Public Company Limited). The aircraft had a maximum takeoff mass of 77,000 kg and landing mass of 64,500 kg. On the accident flight, takeoff mass was 60,829 kg and landing mass 59,029 kg. The last C-check was on 22 November 2017; the last A-check on 28 February 2019. Time since new was 12,300 hours.
Meteorological Information
METAR from Nakhon Ratchasima Airport at 08:00 p.m. on 22 April 2019 reported variable wind at 5 knots, visibility 7 km or more, few clouds at 1,800 feet, temperature 23°C, dew point 23°C. At 09:00 p.m., variable wind at 10 knots, visibility 7 km or more, few clouds at 1,800 feet, temperature 24°C, dew point 23°C. No significant change was expected.
Other Information
Navigation aids at Khon Kaen Airport functioned normally. Communications between the pilot and air traffic control were normal. The injured flight attendant was transported to Bangkok Hospital Khon Kaen, where MRI revealed a spinal fracture.