Suvarnabhumi says subsidence cause of runway mishap - Bangkok Post
Subsidence triggered by heavy rain has been attributed to why a China Airlines flight sank into the runway at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Wednesday. Photo supplied/Supoj Wancharoen The Ministry of Transport is looking into claims of subsidence at Thailand’s largest airport, Suvarnabhumi, after the landing gear of a China Airlines plane got stuck on its runway.
The incident occurred on Runway 02R on Wednesday at 7.20pm as the Boeing 737-800 serving China Airlines flight CI840 was preparing to take off for Kaohsiung in Taiwan.
The plane was evacuated and moved before the damaged runway section received temporary repair, Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat said on Thursday.
“It will be determined if a large-scale repair will be necessary and how long it will take. Officials concerned will limit the impacts on travellers,” he said.
It took ground crews approximately five hours to successfully move the aircraft for further inspection. Five flights were delayed as a result.
Suvarnabhumi Airport management attributed the incident to damage caused by heavy rainfall, water accumulation and rising groundwater levels.
The airport said an initial investigation found that unusually heavy rainfall in the area had led to a significant accumulation of water, while rising groundwater levels affected sections of the runway and taxiways. The damaged section of the runway gave way under the weight of the aircraft.
Officials are investigating whether the severe flooding that took place recently in areas east of Bangkok was a factor behind the damage to the runway, Mr Siripong said.
Regarding the 116 passengers and eight crew members, China Airlines arranged alternative flights for all those affected.
The airline also provided hotel accommodation, food and beverages to assist passengers while they awaited their onward journeys.
Before reopening the runway, the airport completed safety inspections and verified that the surface was fit for use. It said the incident had not affected overall airport services.
Suvarnabhumi airport, which opened in September 2006, was constructed on a low-lying, 35-square-kilometre plot that had been a natural floodway. Local residents for decades had referred to the area as Nong Ngu Hao, or “Cobra Swamp”.
