Sri Lanka Air Force K-8 trainer jet crashes in Kurunegala

Saturday, 22 March 2025 00:12 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

SLAF appoints seven-member committee to probe cause of crash; no injuries

A Chinese-built K-8 trainer aircraft, used for advanced pilot training at the Sri Lanka Air Force Base in Katunayake, crashed yesterday morning in the Wariyapola area, Kurunegala during a routine training exercise.

The two pilots aboard the aircraft, a Chief Training Instructor Pilot and a Trainee Pilot, successfully ejected before the crash and landed safely at the Minuwangoda College premises in Padeniya, Kurunegala, using parachutes.

Both were immediately evacuated and are currently receiving treatment at the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital.

The aircraft took off from Katunayake Air Base at 7:27 a.m. with the crash occurring around 7:55 a.m. Following the incident, Sri Lanka Air Force Commander Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe, appointed a seven-member special investigation committee to determine the cause of the accident.

Authorities are currently examining possible mechanical failures or external factors that may have led to the crash.

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