Air Force investigators visit crash site

• No emergency distress call was radioed from aircraft
• SLAF says twin engine Y-12 has had a long and reliable track record
• Interim report by investigative panel expected in weeks

Members of an investigation panel appointed by the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has visited the crash site of the twin engined Y-12 transport aircraft crashed killing four. 

The panel is expected to submit an interim report within weeks, a source at the Ministry of Defence told the Daily FT. The Buddula Magistrates court last Friday directed Sri Lanka Air Force, the Police and the Government analyst to submit reports on the crash to the court. 

The remains of the four crew members were subjected to an autopsy and may need to be identified through dental records. The funerals of the four deceased crew members is expected to be held this week. 

Air Force Commander Air Marshal Sumangala Dias told the Daily FT that the investigative panel appointed include senior Air Force officers who are trained in air crash investigation. An officer from the Ministry of Defence also sits on the panel. “If needed the panel can seek the opinion of other experts, even get information from the air craft’s manufacture or equipment providers to assist in their investigation,” he said. 

According to Dias, the Y-12 had been in touch with two Air Traffic Control (ACT) towers, Weerawilla and Mattala, but had not radioed any emergency declaration prior to the crash. “It is a very reliable aircraft and has done a large number of hours without any incidents,” he said, commenting on the Y-12 aircraft’s operational history.  Commenting on media reports regarding safety concern about military aircraft’s being used for civilian transportation expressed by the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL), the Air Force commander said it was too early to draw conclusions regarding what caused the crash.