Samut Prakan, Thailand: A light helicopter crashed and caught fire shortly after takeoff in Thailand’s Samut Prakan province on Sunday morning, May 3, 2026, leaving two occupants with minor injuries and triggering a brief grassland fire near an industrial zone.
The incident occurred near Soi Bang Mek Khao along Old Sukhumvit Road in the Thai Ban subdistrict, close to a factory compound and a BTS Skytrain maintenance centre. Emergency services were alerted shortly after the crash, with initial reports placing the time between approximately 9:10 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.
According to police and rescue officials, the aircraft, a two-seat Guimbal Cabri G2 helicopter, had taken off at around 8:30 a.m. from a private factory site and was en route to another facility in Chonburi province.
Shortly after liftoff, at an altitude of roughly 10 metres, the helicopter reportedly experienced a technical malfunction, believed to be related to insufficient engine power. The pilot attempted an emergency landing approximately 30 metres from the takeoff point.
During the forced landing, the helicopter’s rotor blades struck tall grass in the surrounding area, igniting a fire that spread through nearby vegetation and partially engulfed the aircraft.
Firefighters had to push through dense undergrowth and deploy hoses to contain the blaze, which was brought under control within 30 minutes to an hour, according to local reports.
Both occupants identified as the pilot, reportedly the owner of the factory, and a passenger described as a mechanic or technician managed to exit the helicopter without assistance. They sustained only minor injuries and were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Authorities confirmed that no one was trapped inside the aircraft and no fatalities were reported. The crash site, located in a grass-covered industrial area, did not pose a threat to nearby residential zones.
The helicopter was described as a relatively new aircraft, in service for approximately two years, with valid flight documentation at the time of the incident.
Emergency responders, including rescue teams, ambulances, and local police, secured the area following the crash, while officials began examining the wreckage and surrounding site. Investigators are currently working to determine the exact cause of the malfunction and to confirm operational details related to the privately owned aircraft.
The Guimbal Cabri G2 is a light, two-seat helicopter commonly used for pilot training and aerial operations, known for its composite airframe and enclosed tail rotor design. Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing.
