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| Thursday, 10 June 2004 |
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SLAF MiG-27 crashes into Negombo lagoon by Asanga Warnakulasuriya A Sri Lanka Air Force MiG-27 swing-wing fighter jet crashed into the Negombo lagoon yesterday shortly after takeoff from the Katunayake Air Force base. The pilot, Flight Lieutenant Poojana Goonatilake ejected seconds before the crash, Air Force officials said. Military spokesman Col. Sumedha Perera yesterday said a special investigation team headed by Group Captain G.P. Bulathsinghela had been appointed by the Air Force Commander to investigate the cause of yesterday's crash. Air Force Commander Donald Perera said yesterday the MIG-27, which took off from Katunayake around 8.45 am, was on a training mission. The pilot who had sensed engine failure following a crackling noise, had communicated with a MiG-23 pilot who had instructed him to steer the jet to a safe zone and eject, the Commander said. The fighter jet was at an altitude of 1000 meters when the pilot reported the engine vibration, a Military spokesman said. Air Force spokesman Group Captain Ajantha de Silva said the Air Force had informed Air Force rescue teams to salvage the plane. The pilot will also be subjected to a medical examination, he added. The Ukraine made US$ 2 million MiG-27 was added to the Air Force fleet in 2000. Air Force investigations are yet to establish the exact causes of the accident. |
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