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Crash of a Harbin Yunsunji Y-12-II in Haputale: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jan 3, 2020
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
SCL-857
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Wirawila - Colombo
MSN:
0021
YOM:
1990
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances in Haputale while completing a survey flight from Wirawila to Colombo-Ratmalana Airport. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire and all four crew members were killed.

Crash of an Antonov AN-32B in Hokandara: 5 killed

Date & Time: Dec 12, 2014 at 0620 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
SCM-864
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Colombo - Colombo
MSN:
35 09
YOM:
1996
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The approach to Colombo-Ratmalana Airport was completed in marginal weather conditions and low visibility. Too low, the aircraft struck the roof of a house and crashed inverted in a wooded area located in Hokandara, less than 10 km from the runway threshold, bursting into flames. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. A crew member was seriously injured while four other occupants were killed. The only survivor died from his injuries six days later, on December 18.

Crash of an Antonov AN-32B in Jaffna

Date & Time: Jun 14, 2003
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CR-866
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Colombo - Jaffna
MSN:
36 01
YOM:
1996
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
50
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After landing at Jaffna-Palaly Airport, the aircraft went out of control and veered off runway. It collided with a signpost, injured one soldier on the ground and came to rest. All 55 occupants escaped uninjured but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Shaanxi Y-8B in Colombo: 5 killed

Date & Time: Aug 15, 2002 at 1235 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CR-873
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Colombo - Colombo
MSN:
07 08 02
YOM:
1993
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The crew departed Colombo-Ratmalana Airport for a local post maintenance test flight as one of the engine has been changed. During climbout, an engine caught fire. The crew was cleared to return for an emergency landing when the engine exploded and separated from the aircraft. Out of control, the airplane crashed in an open field, bursting into flames. All five crew members were killed. It was reported that the engine that caught fire was not the one that has been changed.
Probable cause:
Engine fire and explosion for unknown reasons.

Crash of an Antonov AN-26 in Anuradhapura: 40 killed

Date & Time: Mar 30, 2000
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
UR-79170
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Palaly - Colombo
MSN:
47313410
YOM:
1980
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
36
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
40
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Jaffna-Palaly Airport on a flight to Colombo, carrying mostly Marines officers. While in cruising altitude, the pilot reported an engine fire and diverted to Anuradhapura Airport. On approach, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in a wooded area located 14,5 km from the airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 40 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The aircraft was shot down by a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) surface-to-air missile.

Crash of an Antonov AN-32B in Colombo: 4 killed

Date & Time: Feb 21, 1997 at 1045 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CR-865
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Colombo - Palaly
MSN:
35 10
YOM:
1996
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
59
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at Colombo-Ratmalana Airport, the captain was ready to start the rotation when he suspected a technical problem and decided to abort the takeoff. At the same time, confusion sets in the cockpit and the copilot inadvertently retracts the landing gear, causing the aircraft to sink on the runway. It slid for few dozen metres and came to rest, bursting into flames. Four passengers were killed.

Crash of a Harbin Yunsunji Y-12 II off Palaly: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jan 20, 1997 at 0515 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CR-851
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Palaly - Palaly
MSN:
0013
YOM:
1986
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
While completing a maritime patrol flight over the northwestern coast of Sri Lanka by night, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in the sea. all four crew members were killed.

Crash of an Antonov AN-32B off Palaly: 63 killed

Date & Time: Nov 22, 1995 at 1720 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CR-862
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Colombo - Palaly
MSN:
35 03
YOM:
1995
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
57
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
63
Circumstances:
While on approach to Papaly Airport, the captain contacted ATC and requested that the approach lights intensity should be increased. Shortly later, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed in the sea few km short of runway. All 63 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the aircraft was shot down by a shell fired by soldiers from the 'Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam'.

Crash of a Shaanxi Y-8 off Palaly: 5 killed

Date & Time: Nov 18, 1995
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CR-871
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Colombo - Palaly
MSN:
06 08 01
YOM:
1988
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The aircraft was approaching Palaly AFB in Jaffna following a flight from Colombo, carrying six crew members and supply equipments. On final, the aircraft was shot down by a 20 mm shell and crashed in the sea about 3 km offshore. A crew member was rescued while five other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a shell fired by soldiers from the 'Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam'.

Crash of an Antonov AN-32B off Colombo: 75 killed

Date & Time: Sep 12, 1995 at 0720 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CR-861
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Colombo - Palaly
MSN:
35 02
YOM:
1995
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
70
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
75
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Colombo-Ratmalana Airport on a flight to the Palaly AFB (Jaffna), carrying 70 soldiers and five crew members. Few minutes after takeoff, the crew declared an emergency and reported technical problems with the instruments. After being cleared to return, the pilot-in-command initiated a turn at an altitude of 8,000 feet when the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in the sea about 40 km north-northwest of Ratmalana Airport. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 75 occupants were killed. It was reported that weather conditions at the time of the accident were poor with thunderstorm activity.