Flight's operations and safety editor analyses how the weather could have been a factor in the fatal crash of the One-Two-Go Boeing MD-82 at Phuket airport on 16 September.

David Learmount says that it was raining hard and vigourous cloud hovered close to Phuket's airport which may mean that the wind changed suddenly influencing the aircraft's airspeed.

He said that the pilot was unhappy with the approach profile and attempted a go-around but he failed to keep the aircraft airborne, possibly because of sudden windshear which may have made the aircraft unflyable.

The aircraft ran off the runway, broke apart and burst into flames, killing 88 people onboard.

Learmount says that when the flight data recorder is downloaded the true cause of the crash will become clear.

Source: FlightGlobal.com