A Saab Griben fighter jet taking part in the Children’s Day airshow at Thailand’s southern Hat Yai International Airport has been filmed crashing to the ground, with smoke and flames erupting from the spot. The pilot was reportedly killed in the crash.

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A colorful show for children in Hat Yai turned into a nightmare on Saturday, as one of the pilots flying over the airfield lost control of his aircraft and crashed into the ground.

A video filmed from amid the crowd of onlookers celebrating the holiday with balloons and umbrellas shows what is reported to be a Swedish-made Saab JAS 39 Gripen jet buzzing the airport. The jet appears to be going into a stunt maneuver, before quickly turning over and nearly nose-diving into the ground in the distance.

The pilot, who was not seen ejecting, is said to be dead. While the plane fell a fair distance away from the crowd, it was not immediately known if it caused any damage or casualties on the airfield.

The show took place on Children’s Day, which this year was celebrated in Thailand on January 14.

READ MORE: Underwater footage shows divers recovering wreckage of crashed Tu-154 from seabed (VIDEO)</s>BANGKOK - A Gripen fighter jet crashed on Saturday (Jan 14) during an airshow at an event in the southern Thai city of Hat Yai in Songkhla province, killing the pilot, Thai media reported.

Squadron leader Dilokrit Pattavee died when the Jas 39 Gripen fighter jet crashed on a runway at around 9.20am local time while it was taking part in the air show at the Hat Yai International airport, the Bangkok Post reported.

The airshow was taking place as part of a Children's Day event at the airport.

According to The Nation, the crash forced the temporary closure of the airport, although it was expected to reopen before midday on Saturday.

Air Vice Marshal Pongsak Semachai, the air force spokesman, said the air force investigating panel is gathering evidence to determine the cause of the crash.

Children's Day is celebrated on the second Saturday in January in Thailand.</s>An Air Force pilot was killed when his Gripen jet fighter crashed into the ground during an air show before hundreds of children and their parents at Hat Yai military airport.

The air show was performed to mark the Children’s Day today.

The fatal incident happened about 9.40 am.</s>HAT YAI – A Thai military air show for children was marred by tragedy on Saturday (Jan 14) when a fighter jet plunged from the sky and burst into flames, killing the pilot.

Families were gathered at the airport in the southern city of Hat Yai to watch the show put on for Thailand’s annual Children’s Day.

The crash reportedly occurred when the pilot was performing a surprise attack manoeuvre.

Footage of the accident captured shrieks from a startled crowd as the jet took a nosedive and crashed near the airport’s runway, releasing fiery plumes of smoke.

“One pilot was killed in the accident this morning,” defence ministry spokesman Major General Kongcheep Tantravanich told AFP.

The cause of the crash was under investigation, he added.

No one else was harmed in the incident, according to an airport official, as the audience was gathered a considerable distance away from the crash site.

A junta spokesman said the 35-year-old pilot was flying a Swedish-made JAS 39 Gripen jet.

“The Prime Minister has expressed his condolences to (the) pilot, his family and the Royal Thai Air Force,” said Major General Werachon Sukondhapatipak.

Thailand’s national Children’s Day is celebrated yearly on the second Saturday of January.

Director-General of the Department of Mental Health Dr. Boonruang Trairuangworawat said on Saturday that a team of psychiatrists from Songkhla Rajanagarindra Phsychiatric Hospital has been dispatched to work with the Wing 56 Airforce Hospital in helping those affected by a jet fighter crash during the airshow at Hat Yai airport.

Dr. Boonruang said that the accident, which killed the pilot, must have had significant psychological impact on his family and friends, so officials will need to make a psychological assessment and offer appropriate assistance to prevent any long-term mental health problem.

He stated that members of the public and the press can help in the process by not sharing any photographs or video clips related to the crash, especially via online social media so that people involved won’t suffer further psychological trauma.</s>A Thai air force pilot died when his fighter jet crashed at an air show Saturday during the country’s Children’s Day.

Amateur video footage shows the JAS 39 Gripen jet maneuvering over the Hat Yai air base in southern Thailand when it suddenly lost altitude and crashed in a ball of fire away from spectators.

The Ministry of Defense was investigating the cause of the crash.

Deputy government spokesman Werachon Sukondhapatipakerachon said Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha expressed condolences to the pilot’s family.

Children’s Day is usually observed with public outings at military bases.</s>A video screen grab shows a plume of smoke and fire rises from the site where a fighter jet crashed during and airshow, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2017, in Hat Yai, southern Thailand. A Thai air force pilot died when the JAS Gripen fighter jet crashed during an air show celebrating the country's Children's Day.

BANGKOK — A Thai air force pilot has died when his fighter jet crashed at an air show during the country's Children's Day.

Amateur video footage shows the JAS 39 Gripen jet maneuvering over the Hat Yai air base in southern Thailand when it suddenly lost altitude and crashed in a ball of fire away from spectators.

The Ministry of Defense is investigating the cause of the crash on Saturday.

Deputy government spokesman Werachon Sukondhapatipakerachon says Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha expressed condolences to the pilot's family.

Children's Day is usually observed with public outings at military bases.</s>Pilot killed when jet crashes during air show for kids

BANGKOK (AFP) – A Thai military air show for children was marred by tragedy Saturday when a fighter jet plunged from the sky and burst into flames, killing the pilot.



Families were gathered at the airport in the southern city of Hat Yai to watch the show put on for Thailand’s annual Children’s Day.

Footage of the accident captured shrieks from a startled crowd as the jet took a nosedive and crashed near the airport’s runway, releasing fiery plumes of smoke.

“One pilot was killed in the accident this morning,” defense ministry spokesman Major General Kongcheep Tantravanich told AFP.

The cause of the crash was under investigation, he added.

No one else was harmed in the incident, according to an airport official, as the audience was gathered a considerable distance away from the crash site.

A junta spokesman said the 35-year-old pilot was flying a Swedish-made JAS 39 Gripen jet.</s>Shocking footage shows the moment a fighter jet crashed and exploded in a fire ball at a children's air show in Thailand.

Royal Thai Air Force pilot Dilokrit Pattavee, 34, had been performing stunts at the air show in Hat Yai, southern Thailand, when his JAS 39 Gripen came down on Saturday.

Spectators can be heard shouting and screaming as a plume of thick smoke is seen rising up from the wreckage.

The Royal Thai Air Force pilot was killed instantly in the crash.

Witness Penwipha Thuanthong said: 'It was scary. The poor pilot. I didn't know if it was part of the show when he was flying towards the ground.

'But he didn't change direction then suddenly is killed. It was a tragedy. My children didn't know what had happened and I had to explain to them.

'He had been only married for a short time, life is just not fair.'

A Royal Thai Air Force spokesman said they were investigating what caused the crash, which took place at the air show's Children's Day.

The spokesman said: 'The Air Chief Marshal would like to express his deepest sorrow at the events that occurred.

'The aircraft accident investigation unit and associated authorities in the area will investigate further to find out why this happened.'</s>BANGKOK -- A Thai military air show for children was marred by tragedy Saturday when a fighter jet plunged from the sky and burst into flames, killing the pilot.

Families were gathered at the airport in the southern city of Hat Yai to watch the show put on for Thailand's annual Children's Day.

Footage of the accident captured shrieks from a startled crowd as the jet took a nosedive and crashed near the airport's runway, releasing fiery plumes of smoke.

"One pilot was killed in the accident this morning," defense ministry spokesman Major General Kongcheep Tantravanich told AFP.

The cause of the crash was under investigation, he added.

No one else was harmed in the incident, according to an airport official, as the audience was gathered a considerable distance away from the crash site.

A junta spokesman said the 35-year-old pilot was flying a Swedish-made JAS 39 Gripen jet.

"The Prime Minister has expressed his condolences to (the) pilot, his family and the Royal Thai Air Force," said Major General Werachon Sukondhapatipak.

Thailand's national Children's Day is celebrated yearly on the second Saturday of January.

The holiday sees military bases around the country open up their gates to let youngsters handle guns and climb over tanks and warships.

Many zoos and museums also allow children in for free.</s>The Jas 39 Grippen fighter jet crashes during the air show at Wing 26 in Hat Yai, Songkhla provinces, on Saturday. Sqn Ldr Dilokrit Pattavee was killed when the Jas 39 Gripen fighter jet crashed on a runway at Wing 26 during the air show at around 9.20am.

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A Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighter jet crashes at Hat Yai International Airport in Thailand while performing at a Children's Day air show, killing the pilot, who failed to eject.