Rainmaking plane slides off runway in Thai North, no losses

CHIANG MAI, THAILAND, March 7 (TNA) - An airplane used to create artificial rain, belonging to the Northern Royal Rainmaking Centre in Chiang Mai Province in the Thai North, skidded off the runway on Saturday (Mar 7), but all three crew members on board, including the pilot, were safe and there were no reports of any damage. Chiang Mai International Airport Director Group Captain Wisoot Chantana told journalists that the incident took place before noon when the plane from the Department of Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation was landing at the airport, after an operation to spray water to help ease haze in the province and nearby areas. The pilot reported that during the plane's landing, its braking system malfunctioned and caused him to lose control of the plane, leading to its sliding off the runway. The situation at the Chiang Mai Airport has already returned to normal, after authorities used about 30 minutes to clear out the scene. (TNA)