Crash of an Avro 748-357-2B in Palaly: 52 killed
Date & Time:
Apr 29, 1995 at 0845 LT
Operator:
Registration:
4R-HVA
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Anuradhapura - Palaly
MSN:
1768
YOM:
1979
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
49
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
52
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a flight from Anuradhapura to Jaffna-Palaly Airport on behalf of the Sri Lanka Air Force. On final approach, at an altitude of 3,000 feet, the aircraft was shot down by a surface-to-air missile and crashed in a huge explosion. All 52 occupants were killed, among them 44 soldiers, two policemen, three journalists and three crew members.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a surface-to-air missile fired by Tamil separatists.
