Kfirs crash in rehearsal drill

One of the pilots killed:

Dharma Sri Abeyratne

[Mishap]

* Aircraft took off from Katunayake Air Base at 9.10 am

* Reached Udatuttiripitiya around 9.30 am

* Pilots ejected before crash

Two Kfir Aircraft among a fleet of aircraft which were taking part in a rehearsal for today’s Air Force 60th anniversary events crashed into each other near Udatuttiripitiya in the Gampaha District yesterday morning. The mishap occurred when the two aircraft were flying at a low attitude according to eye witness accounts. Following the crash the two aircraft burst into a huge ball of flame with a massive sound before falling to the ground.

The incident took place around 9.30 am. The debris of the destroyed Kfirs were scattered over a large area.

According to Air Force Spokesman Group Captain Andrew Wijesuriya the aircraft had taken off from Katunayake Air Base at 9.10 am for the rehearsal. The aircraft had reached Udatuttiripitiya around 9.30 am when they crashed against each other. With the collision, the two pilots had ejected from their aircraft.

However, the body of one of the pilots, Flight Lt. Monath Perera was found at the crash site.

Meanwhile the other pilot, Squadron Leader Vajira Jayakody escaped unhurt and managed to land safely with the parachute attached to the pilot’s seat. But the parachute of the other pilot failed.

No casualties were reported except for one civilian who was at the crash site at the time of the incident. He is being treated for minor injuries due to flying shrapnel. In addition around four houses were slightly damaged due to the falling debris and fire. President Mahinda Rajapaksa visited the crash site yesterday morning at Udatuttiripitiya.