History of the Flight
On 3 August 2024 at approximately 10:25 a.m., a pilot operated the experimental, amateur-built Zodiac CH601 XL aircraft, registration HS-DEV, owned by BANPUEN 911 Company Limited. The flight departed from the temporary take-off and landing area at Khokkham subdistrict, Mueang district, Samut Sakhon province (Best Ocean Airpark) for an aircraft test, with a planned stop at another temporary area in Pathum Thani province.
After taking off from runway 16, about five minutes into the flight, the pilot radioed a request to return for landing. While on final approach to the same runway, the aircraft collided with the roof of an accommodation building at the Best Ocean Resort Golf Course, located approximately 250 meters before the runway threshold. The impact caused a fire. The aircraft was completely destroyed, and the pilot died. The accident occurred around 10:30 a.m.
Injuries and Damage
The sole occupant, the pilot, sustained fatal injuries. The aircraft was consumed by fire, with some wreckage found on the building roof and the engine separated and burned on the ground. A right wing portion remained relatively intact. The accommodation building also suffered damage from the collision and fire.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft was a Zodiac 601XL-B, serial number 6-7116, manufactured in 2009 by Zenith Aircraft Company (USA). It held a Special Airworthiness Certificate (Type IV) issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT). The engine was a Rotax 912 ULS (serial 5649611) from BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co KG (Austria), and the propeller was an NRProp SR83-1700 (Ukraine). The aircraft had accumulated 296 hours since new, with the last periodic maintenance (100-hour) performed on 23 September 2023 at that same airframe time.
The 33-year-old pilot held a Thai Commercial Pilot Licence with ratings for single and multi-engine land, instrument, and flight instructor. His Class 1 medical certificate, issued 28 June 2024, had no limitations. His total flight experience was 8,900 hours.
Accident Site and Environmental Factors
The temporary airstrip at Khokkham has a single asphaltic concrete runway 16/34, 700 meters long and 20 meters wide. A windsock was present as a navigational aid. Communications between the pilot and local traffic control were reported normal. Meteorological conditions were not considered a contributing factor.
Post-Accident Examination
Police and forensic officers from Samut Sakhon Hospital examined the site. The autopsy found soot in the upper trachea and distal bronchial branches, and no alcohol or drugs in the blood. The cause of death was determined as burn injury. No survivors were found by rescue crews.
Additional Information
The accident investigation committee notified the United States (state of design and manufacture) and Austria (state of engine manufacture). The final report was released publicly on 26 November 2025.