SLAF MiG27 crashes on training mission

Chaminda Perera

A Sri Lanka Air Force MiG 27 fighter jet on a routine training mission yesterday crashed in the Dummalasuriya area in Kurunegala at around 1.35 p.m. The pilot managed to eject the jet without sustaining injuries. According to Airforce spokesman Group Captain Andrew Wijesuriya, the cause for the crash was yet to be established. Air Force Commander Air Marshal H D Abeywickrema yesterday appointed a five member committee to probe the jet crash in Dummalasoriya.

The members are Air Commodore DLS Dias, Wing Commander N Abeysekara, Wing Commander STR Dewasiri, Wing Commander MPA Mahawathage and Wing Commander PKDN Pitigala. This fighter jet built in Russia left the Katunayake Airforce Base on a training mission. The fighter jet crashed into an area adjoining the Sanasa bank in Havana in the Dummalasuriya Police division. According to Dummalasuriya police sources, no casualty was reported due to the jet crash in Havana.