List of aviation accidents and incidents in Sri Lanka

This article lists some of the aviation accidents and incidents in Sri Lanka from the 1910s to the 2020s.

1910s

• In November 1911, an aircraft that was trying the establish the record for the first flight over Ceylon, hit the Old Royal College Building when it was under construction. The aircraft landed and later reattempted the record.

1950s

• February 19, 1954, a De Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk of the Ceylon Air Academy took off from Ratmalana Airport on a solo flight crashed into the sea. Despite an extensive search, no trace of the aircraft or its pilot was ever found.

1960s

• On February 1, 1960, a Jet Provost of the Royal Ceylon Air Force preparing for the fly past on Independence Day flamed out shortly after take-off. The pilot ejected safely and the plane crashed into the Negombo Lagoon.

• January 17, 1966, A Jet provost crashed into the coconut trees surrounding Katunayake airport, killing its pilot Flt Sgt Shaheer Sally.

1970s

• April 12, 1971, a Jet Provost of the Royal Ceylon Air Force crashed in Trincomalee killing its pilot.
• December 4, 1974, the Martinair Flight 138, a Douglas DC-8 crashed into a mountain on approach to Colombo International Airport, killing all 191 people aboard.
• November 15, 1978, the Icelandic Airlines Flight 001, a Douglas DC-8 crashed on approach to Colombo International Airport, killing 8 of the 13 Icelandic crew members, 5 reserve crew members and 170 (mostly Indonesian) out of a total of 262 passengers and crew.

1980s

• On May 3, 1986, Air Lanka Flight 512 which was a Lockheed L-1011 Tristar that was about to depart to Maldives, having been delayed, was ripped in two by a bomb placed by the LTTE in the 'Fly Away Kit', killing 21 people and wounding 41.

1990s

• On September 13, 1990, an SLAF SIAI-Marchetti SF.260 was shot down by LTTE anti-aircraft fire; the pilot was killed.
• July 5, 1992, an SLAF Shaanxi Y-8 crashed in Iyakatchitchy en route to Palay killing all 20 on board. LTTE claimed to have shot it down.
• On July 14, 1992, an SLAF SIAI-Marchetti SF.260TP was shot down by the LTTE; the pilot was killed.
• On October 13, 1992, an SLAF FMA IA 58 Pucará crashed near Jaffna.
• On April 28, 1995, an SLAF Avro 748 was shot down by the LTTE using a man-portable air-defense system (MANPADS) killing all 45 crew and passengers.
• On April 29, 1995, a second SLAF Avro 748 was shot down by the LTTE using a MANPADS killing all 52 crew and passengers.
• On July 14, 1995, an SLAF FMA IA 58 Pucará was shot down by the LTTE using a MANPADS during fierce fighting in the Northern Province, near Jaffna, killing its pilot.
• On September 13, 1995, an Antonov An-32 went missing with all 7 crew and 78 passengers.
• On September 29, 1998, an Antonov An-24RV operating as Lionair Flight 602 was shot down by the LTTE using a MANPADS, killing all 7 crew and 48 passengers.

2000s

• In August 2000, a Sri Lanka Air Force MiG-27 crashed near Colombo International Airport, killing its Ukrainian pilot.
• On 16 September 2000, a Mil Mi-17 helicopter crashed on Bible Rock, killing all 17 passengers and crew, including M. H. M. Ashraff, Minister of Shipping, Ports and Rehabilitation.
• An LTTE attack on July 24, 2001 on the Colombo International Airport, resulted in the destruction 8 SLAF aircraft and 3 SriLankan Airlines Airbus A330s and Airbus A340s.
• In June 2001, a C-152 crashed with in Katukurunda Air training base on final approach from a cross country flight the PIC Commercial pilot license holder who was the instructor at time way injured and wash rushed to the base hospital.
• In June 2004, a MiG-27 crashed into the sea near the Colombo International Airport.
• On October 22, 2007, a raid on SLAF Anuradhapura by LTTE resulted in 8 SLAF aircraft being destroyed on the ground and another 10 damaged. An SLAF Bell 212 that was deployed for air defense during the attack crashed due to mechanical problems killing its crew.
• 27 November 2009: A Mil Mi-24 crashed in Buttala in the Monaragala district killing all 4 on board.

2010s

• On 1 March 2011, two SLAF IAI Kfirs on rehearsal for a fly past resulted in a mid air collision. Pilots of both aircraft ejected but one of the pilots were killed.
• On 13 February 2012, an SLAF MiG 27 crashed in Dummalasuriya area in Puttlam while on a routine training flight. The pilot managed to eject from the jet without sustaining injuries.
• On 12 December 2014, a Sri Lankan Air Force, An-32 transport aircraft carrying 5 people crashed on approach to land at the Ratmalana Airport after taking off from Katunayaka Bandaranayake International Airport. The pilot, co-pilot and two of the air crew were killed in the crash and the fifth crew member suffered critical injuries and later died of his injuries.
• 25 May 2016: A Bell 206 crashed at Hingurakgoda Airport. The pilot survived.
• 29 May 2017: A Mil Mi-17 helicopter crashed near Baddegama during rescue and relief operations. All crew members survived, unhurt.

2020s

• On 3 January 2020, a Sri Lankan Air Force Harbin Y-12 aircraft on a surveillance mission crashed into mountainous terrain near Haputale, Sri Lanka. All four occupants died in the crash. One person on the ground was injured as a result of the crash.
• On 15 December 2020, a Sri Lankan Air Force PT-6 trainer aircraft crashed during a solo training flight after losing contact with ATC. The pilot succumbed to injuries sustained during the crash.
• 27 April 2022: A Bell 206 was involved in an accident at Hingurakgoda Airport. The pilot was unhurt and the helicopter was heavily damaged.
• On 7 August 2023, a Sri Lanka Air Force PT-6 trainer aircraft crashed during a training flight two minutes after taking off from the air force academy at China Bay base in the eastern city of Trincomalee. Both the pilot and the flight engineer were killed in the crash.
• On 21 March 2025, a Sri Lanka Air Force K-8 trainer aircraft crashed near Minuwangete in the Wariyapola area. Both pilots ejected safely and were uninjured.
• On 9 May 2025, a Sri Lanka Air Force Bell 212 helicopter crashed into the Maduru Oya Reservoir. Twelve individuals were on board, including two pilots. Six personnel were killed in the incident, comprising four from the Sri Lanka Army and two from the Air Force.
• On 30 November 2025, a Sri Lanka Air Force Bell 212 helicopter engaged in disaster relief operations following Cyclone Ditwah crash-landed in an area between Wennappuwa and Lunuwila. All five crew members on board were rescued and taken to hospital for treatment. The pilot of the helicopter subsequently succumbed to his injuries.
• On 7 January 2025, a Cessna 208 Caravan Amphibian aircraft, registered 4R-CAE and operated by Cinnamon Air, plunged into Lake Gregory in Nuwara Eliya while attempting to land at the nearby Lake Gregory Waterdrome. No passengers were on board and the two pilots were injured but rescued safely.

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