News
SLAF probe team begins investigation at Bell 212 helicopter crash site
View(s):By Dilushi Wijesinghe
A field inspection at the site of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Bell 212 helicopter crash was carried out yesterday by the 9-member committee appointed by SLAF Commander Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe to investigate the crash.
The main airframe of the helicopter was hoisted out of the water yesterday.
The investigation committee, led by an Air Commodore, includes a pilot, officers specialising in aeronautical, general, and electronic engineering, a logistics officer, an administrative officer, a specialised medical officer, a regiment officer, and a representative from the Ministry of Defence (MOD).
The helicopter being hoisted out of the water. Pic by Nimal Jayaratna
The tragic incident, which occurred on Friday (May 9), involved the SLAF Bell 212 helicopter from the No. 7 Squadron at the Hingurakgoda Base, which crashed into the waters of the Maduru Oya reservoir during a live demonstration for the Special Forces passing-out parade.
Speaking on the significance of the demonstration, Army Media Spokesman Brigadier Waruna Gamage told the Sunday Times, “The Special Forces comprise of the most highly skilled soldiers in the Army. During the passing-out ceremony, they demonstrate the full range of capabilities they’ve mastered through rigorous training. This ceremony holds special significance because it showcases the exceptional talents of these soldiers, who are among our most valuable assets. It also serves to highlight the critical roles they play in emergency missions.”
The crash claimed six lives, Air Force Media Spokesman Group Captain Eranda Geeganage said. The Bell 212 helicopter was carrying a total of twelve personnel (six from the Army and six from the SLAF) at the time of the crash.
Despite the combined rescue efforts of the SLAF and Navy, six of the passengers succumbed to their injuries shortly after the incident. The victims included two Air Force personnel (gunners) and four Army soldiers.
The two SLAF personnel, attached to the No. 7 Squadron, were identified as Flight Sergeant Sanath Udayakumara and Corporal Madhuranga Methruwan.
Flight Sergeant Udaya kumara, who joined the SLAF in 2004 as an operational ground force specialist, was a father of two, residing in Welimada. His funeral is scheduled for May 12 in his hometown.
Corporal Methruwan, who joined in 2009, was an unmarried officer, living with his mother and elder brother in Bandarawela. He completed his education at Bandaragama Central College. His funeral will take place on May 11 in Bandarawela.
The four Army personnel were identified as Sergeant Thusithawarna from Balangoda, Corporal Lakmal Perera from Katana, Corporal Prasad Premarathne from Kurunegala, and Corporal Wimukthi Dassanayake from Matale.
All the victims will be accorded funerals with full military honours.
Meanwhile, the surviving personnel are currently receiving medical treatment at the Polonnaruwa hospital, and will be transferred to the respective service hospitals soon.
“One of the co-pilots has a fracture, but the others are in stable condition,” Group Capt Geeganage said, while Brigadier Gamage added, “The Army officials are out of danger and continue to receive treatment at the Polonnaruwa hospital.”
| Report on SLAF’s Chinese K-8 training aircraft crash pending The initial report on SLAF’s Chinese K-8 training aircraft that crash-landed at the Padeniya Minuwangete Vidyalaya, Wariyapola, on March 21 is yet to be released. Efforts to retrieve the Signal Video Recorder (SVR) data through a local agency in Sri Lanka have been unsuccessful, and the SLAF is now exploring the possibility of consulting the aircraft’s manufacturer to recover the data. “Only then can the committee put forward its recommendations,” he said. | |
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