A plane pilot was killed and his Russian pupil injured when their light aircraft crashed onto a road on a Thai holiday island.

The pair had taken off from the Phuket Airpark at around 2 pm local time when they lost control of the plane while flying over a village in the Paklok district on Sunday.

Residents said they heard sparks as the blue aircraft snagged on electric cables. They rushed outside and discovered the wreckage on the roadside, with debris strewn across the pavement.

Police arrived at the scene after receiving a report at 4:10 pm. They found Thai pilot Surasak Chana, 40, seriously injured and bleeding heavily from his mangled ankle, while his pupil Sergei Razukov, 36, suffered head injuries.

Both were taken to Thalang Hospital, but Surasak succumbed to his injuries on Monday morning.

Police Colonel Nikorn Chuthong, Thalang police chief, said: 'The initial cause of the crash remains unclear and is currently under investigation. Relevant authorities will be notified of the situation.'

He added that the Russian man was a student pilot who had been working in Phuket for five years.

The fallen aircraft, a UM-22 Quicksilver MX II Sprint suitable for training flights, has been cleared from the road.

The Phuket Flying Club, a flight training provider where Surasak or Oh served as airpark manager, said: 'Regarding yesterday's incident, our team would like to express our deepest condolences for the passing of Mr. Oh, our airport manager and flight instructor, and wish him peace.

'The cause of the accident is still under investigation, so we cannot provide further details. The flight student on board is safe.

'The team will announce the funeral arrangements once they are confirmed. The family and staff would like to thank you for all the love and support you have shown during this time.'