Incident Overview
The incident involved an aircraft operating a scheduled flight from Jaffna-Palaly Airport to Colombo. At the time of departure, the passenger manifest consisted primarily of Marine officers. During the cruise phase of the flight, the pilot reported an engine fire and initiated a diversion to Anuradhapura Airport.
Crash Details
While on approach to Anuradhapura Airport, the aircraft lost control. It subsequently crashed into a wooded area situated 14.5 kilometers from the airport perimeter. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the airframe. All 40 individuals on board were killed in the accident.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation concluded that the crash was not caused by mechanical failure or pilot error alone. The probable cause was identified as the aircraft being shot down by a surface-to-air missile launched by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).