SLAF aircraft crash: Magistrate calls for reports from SLAF and Govt. bodies
Eye witnesses recall terrifying moments just before the crash
The Bandarawela Magistrate has ordered several government agencies to submit separate reports as part of the inquiry into Friday’s deadly crash of a Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) aircraft.
Magistrate Keerthi Kumburuhena has called for reports from the SLAF, Government Analyst’s Department, Surveyor General’s Department, Mattala International Airport, Diyathalawa SLAF base, Badulla Judicial Medical Officer ( JMO) and the Depar tment of Meteorology.
Officials from the Government Analyst’s Department visited the crash site yesterday to conduct investigations. They were joined by SLAF officers.
All four SLAF personnel who were onboard the Chinese built Y- 12 aircraft were killed in the crash. On board were two pilots and two observers. The plane had been on a reconnaissance mission and had initially taken off from Ratmalana and arrived at Weerawila. The aircraft had was on its way to the Eastern Province from Weerawila when it crashed in Haputale.
Those killed have been identified as Squadron Leader Buddhi Weebedda, Flight Lieutenant Lankapura Kulatunga, Sergeant Wasantha Kumara and Leading Aircraftman Nuwan Hettiarachchi. They were residents of Kandy, Gampola, Tissamaharama and Matara respectively.
Flight Lieutenant Kulatunga was due to be married in May.
Badulla JMO Sandaken Waduge said bodies of the four crew members were identified at the post-mortem examination held yesterday. Measures were being taken to hand over the remains of the deceased to their relatives.
A Court of Inquiry appointed by the SLAF Commander to probe the crash commenced its investigation on Friday itself, SLAF Spokesman Group Captain Gihan Seneviratne told the Sunday Times.
The SLAF however, remains tightlipped about the probe. Group Captain Seneviratne said he was not at liberty to disclose who the members of the Court of Inquiry are or even how many members it comprises or any other information related to the inquiry.
Meanwhile, eyewitness accounts into Friday’s crash indicate that the pilot of the doomed aircraft which crashed at Thambipillai estate in Haputale managed to steer the aircraft away from populated areas before it crashed, police said.
The estate housing scheme has more than 60 houses and the plane had apparently steered away from them before crashing into trees in a sparsely populated area.
People in the area had been going about their daily business when they were distracted by the sight of a low-flying aircraft at about 9.15 a.m.
“As I looked I saw that the aircraft was taking an unusual path. It went towards Dhammananda Vidyalaya and then took a turn. I noticed it swaying in the air and then it crashed,” local resident M. M. G. Mohamed said.
“The plane burst into flame when it crashed and the fire spread fast. We tried to approach the area and control the fire by throwing buckets of water, but it did not help,” he said.
Another resident, S.Victoria (32) said, “I saw the plane flying at a very low level, the sound was also unusual. I kept on watching. I felt scared. Suddenly it came down fast and crashed near our house.”
Stella Sathiya ( 36) said she saw the aircraft flying very low. “It was flying close to the houses and the schools. Suddenly it crashed close to us. People screamed and ran away," she said.