Licenses of 2 Thai Air Controllers Lifted in Jet Crash Inquiry
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PHUKET, Thailand — The government today indefinitely suspended the licenses of two air traffic controllers on duty when a Thai Airways jet crashed into the sea Monday on approach to Phuket airport, killing 83 people.
Air Traffic Safety Director Sawat Sittiwong said the suspensions were based on evidence from the control tower tape, information from the pilot of a Dragonair jet approaching the airport at the time of the accident and other sources.
Sawat declined to say whether the suspensions meant that investigators believed that the controllers made mistakes that contributed to the accident. He said another controller supposed to be on duty at the time had been absent from the control tower.
Airport manager Prayoon Tavisang said the pilot of the Thai Airways plane seemed confused by his instructions from the control tower.
Divers working from boats and barges about a mile from the coast retrieved the bodies of 24 victims today, bringing the total number of dead recovered to 61.
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