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 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-24RV off Iranativu Island: 55 killed

Date & Time: Sep 29, 1998 at 1354 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
EW-46465
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Palaly - Colombo
MSN:
27307901
YOM:
1972
Flight number:
LNS602
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
48
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
55
Aircraft flight hours:
42442
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Palaly Airport at 1340LT on a schedule flight to Colombo, carrying 48 passengers and seven crew members. While climbing to an altitude of 8,000 feet, the captain contacted ATC and reported a cabin depressurization following an explosion. The aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in the sea some 2 km south of Iranativu Island, 45 km south of Jaffna. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 55 occupants were killed. About 30% of the debris were found in May 2013.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the aircraft was shot down by a LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) rebels 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.

Crash of an Avro 748-357-2B in Palaly: 52 killed

Date & Time: Apr 29, 1995 at 0845 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
4R-HVA
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Anuradhapura - Palaly
MSN:
1768
YOM:
1979
Country:
Region:
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.

Crash of an Avro 748-334-2A in Jaffna: 45 killed

Date & Time: Apr 28, 1995
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
4R-HVB
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Palaly - Colombo
MSN:
1757
YOM:
1978
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
42
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
45
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Palaly Airport, while climbing, the left engine exploded. The crew declared an emergency and was cleared to return. On short final, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in a huge explosion about 200 metres short of runway. All 45 occupants were killed, among them 40 soldiers and two civilians.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the left engine exploded during climbout after being hit by a surface-to-air missile shot by Tamil separatists.