A flying instructor was killed and his passenger was injured when their light aircraft crashed into a pond 'due to an engine failure' in Thailand this morning.

Pilot Pragij Sappipattana, 54, and female pupil Saeng Chantima, 45, were onboard the Tecnam P92 JS monoplane traveling from Samut Sakhon province to Chiang Mai early morning on March 8.

They took off from an airstrip at the Best Ocean Golf Course, the headquarters of the 'Friends Flying Club' which Pragij managed, at around 6:30 AM.

The Samut Sakhon Provincial Security Office said they received a report of the crash at around 7:00 AM.

Residents reported that they saw the plane flying low before hearing a loud crash when it plunged into the private fishing pond in Samut Sakhon.

The plane was seen near the edge of the pond, with the damaged cabin and tail jutting out from under the surface.

Despite fears the wreckage would explode, brave villagers jumped into the water to rescue Saeng. However, Pragij had already died at the scene.

Khok Kham police and medics arrived at 7:40 AM to pull out Pragij's body and rush Saeng to the Samut Sakhon Hospital.

In a statement, the Samut Sakhon Provincial Security Office said: 'Khok Kham Police Station investigators have arranged for an autopsy of the deceased and to block the area for an investigation.'

Officers said they believe the crash was caused by engine failure. They will question Saeng once she is well enough for interrogation.