( RIA Novosti ) - The pilot of the plane that crashed in the Thai resort of Phuket on Sunday ignored warnings of difficult weather conditions, The Bangkok Post said Tuesday, citing local media sources.
At least 89 people were killed when the plane, operated by budget airline One-Two-Go, skidded off the runway in heavy rain and winds.
"The transcript of the conversation between the control tower and the pilot shows that the pilot was warned about wind shear, but decided to land anyway," The Bangkok Post quoted the director general of Thailand's Department of Air Transport as saying.
Police forensic officers have identified 53 of the 89 bodies from the crash, including 21 of the 53 foreigners, a police source said.
However, One-Two-Go Airline chairman Kajit Hapananont defended the pilot, saying that "He {the pilot} was not hot-headed, and had plenty of aviation experience under his belt. He was one of our best. He was very experienced, patient and very decisive