A fighter plane crashed into a forest in northern Thailand, killing the pilot and gun operator.

The Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine crashed in a forest in Chiang Mai during a training mission at around 10.30 am this morning.

The two Royal Thai Air Force officers on board were reportedly killed in the fireball. Police and fire crews arrived to secure the area and extinguish the blaze.

Officials said they were checking the identities of the two people onboard.

Police said the plane crashed in a mountainous and remote forest area, making access difficult and requiring authorities to travel on foot with assistance from residents to reach the site.

A Royal Thai Air Force spokesman added: 'Officers and rescue teams are inspecting the wreckage and searching for the pilots.

'Further information is still being gathered. The area will be closed for an investigation to determine the cause in accordance with aviation safety standards.'

Eight of the US-made light attack aircraft were received last year at the Wing 41 Air Base in Chiang Mai.

The aircraft are used for air-to-ground missions and border surveillance, supporting ongoing reconnaissance and security operations along the Thai border.

The first two aircraft were delivered on July 16, 2024, and assigned to Squadron 411 at Wing 41 in Chiang Mai. The remaining six were received throughout 2025.

The aircraft were manufactured by Textron Aviation Defence LLC and imported from the United States.