F-5 Fighter Jet Tire Burst Disrupts Ubon Ratchathani Airport Operations
A Royal Thai Air Force F-5 TH fighter jet experienced a tire burst on the runway at Ubon Ratchathani Airport, leading to temporary flight diversions.
On October 7, 2026, operations at Ubon Ratchathani Airport were temporarily disrupted following a technical incident involving a Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) F-5 TH fighter jet. According to Khaosod Online, the aircraft, belonging to Squadron 211 of Wing 21, suffered a tire burst while landing at approximately 11:30 AM.
As a safety precaution, airport authorities closed the runway to facilitate the removal of the aircraft. This closure forced several commercial flights arriving from Bangkok, including AirAsia flight FD3374 and Thai Vietjet flight VZ220, to divert back to their departure airports.
The RTAF stated that the tire burst was likely caused by the aircraft striking foreign objects on the runway during landing, noting that such technical issues can occur during aviation operations. Airport rescue teams and relevant personnel were deployed immediately to clear the runway. The airport resumed normal operations by 1:30 PM the same day.
For travelers, this incident highlights the potential for sudden operational disruptions at regional airports due to unforeseen technical or maintenance issues. While the runway has been cleared and flights have resumed, passengers scheduled to fly to or from Ubon Ratchathani are advised to check their flight status with their respective airlines for any lingering schedule adjustments. The specific nature of the foreign objects on the runway remains a point of interest for airport safety protocols.
