On September 29, 1998, an Antonov AN-24 (registration EW-46465) operated by Lionair was involved in an aviation accident near Iranativu Island, Sri Lanka in flight. 55 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: It was determined that the aircraft was shot down by a LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) rebels surface-to-air missile. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
An aircraft on a scheduled flight from Palaly to Colombo reported a cabin depressurization after an explosion, entered an uncontrolled descent, and crashed into the sea, killing all 55 occupants. The official investigation concluded it was shot down by a LTTE surface-to-air missile.
Incident
On a scheduled flight from Palaly Airport to Colombo, an aircraft departed at 1340 local time carrying 48 passengers and seven crew members. While climbing to an altitude of 8,000 feet, the captain contacted air traffic control and reported a cabin depressurization following an explosion. The aircraft subsequently entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed into the sea approximately 2 kilometers south of Iranativu Island, which lies about 45 kilometers south of Jaffna. The impact caused the aircraft to disintegrate, resulting in the deaths of all 55 persons on board.
Investigation
Following the crash, investigators recovered about 30% of the debris, which were located in May 2013. The official investigation determined that the aircraft was shot down by a surface-to-air missile fired by LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) rebels. No other causes were identified in the official findings.
Probable cause
It was determined that the aircraft was shot down by a LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) rebels surface-to-air missile.
