6 fatalities

Twin-Engine Airplane Crashes in Malacca Strait During Flight to Colombo (N482U)

Kuala Selangor, MalaysiaFlight

On February 13, 1983, a Learjet 35 (registration N482U) operated by Upali Air was involved in an aviation accident near Kuala Selangor, Malaysia in flight. 6 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Due to lack of evidences as the wreckage was not found, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 5 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-11Data APIEditorial standards

A twin-engine airplane departed Kuala Lumpur-Subang Airport for Colombo but crashed in the Malacca Strait after an uncontrolled descent from FL390. No wreckage or bodies were found.

Incident

On an unspecified date, a twin-engine airplane departed Kuala Lumpur-Subang Airport at 2141 local time, bound for Colombo, Sri Lanka. While cruising at an altitude of 27,000 feet, the crew received clearance to climb to flight level 390 (FL390). Shortly thereafter, the airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in the Malacca Strait, approximately 20 kilometers off Kuala Selangor.

Search and Recovery

Search and rescue (SAR) operations were initiated following the accident. Six days later, a survey kit was discovered, but the main wreckage, as well as any bodies or debris, were not found.

Occupants

The crew consisted of pilot Noel Anandappa, copilot Sydney Soysa, and steward S. Senenakye. The passengers were Upali Wijewardene, S. M. Ratnam, and Ananda Peli Muhandiram.

Findings

Due to the lack of evidence, as the wreckage was not recovered, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined.

Probable cause

Due to lack of evidences as the wreckage was not found, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined.