What happened
The crew departed from Minneriya Airport in Sri Lanka with the objective of executing a long-duration maritime patrol mission spanning 18 hours over the Bay of Bengal. During the flight, the aircraft experienced an engine failure that rendered it inoperable. Consequently, the crew executed a ditching procedure to ensure the safety of those on board. Rescue teams successfully recovered all 11 occupants from the water. The aircraft remained afloat for approximately one hour following the incident before it sank.
Findings
Official investigations identified engine failure as the primary cause of the accident, leading directly to the decision to ditch the aircraft in international waters.