On 01 March 2011, two IAI Kfirs belonging to the No. 10 Squadron at SLAF Katunayake, collided near Yakkala, Gampaha approximately 19 kilometres (11.8 mi) south-east of SLAF Katunayake, during a formation fight rehearsal.[1][3][4]
 crash site of one of the Kfirs | |
| Accident | |
|---|---|
| Date | 1 March 2011 |
| Summary | Mid-air collision |
| Site | Yakkala, Gampaha, Sri Lanka |
| Total fatalities | 1 |
| Total survivors | 1 |
| First aircraft | |
| Type | IAI Kfir C2 |
| Operator |  Sri Lanka Air Force |
| Registration | SFM-5201 163 (MSN)[1] |
| Flight origin | Bandaranaike International Airport, Sri Lanka |
| Fatalities | 0 |
| Survivors | 1 |
| Second aircraft | |
| Type | IAI Kfir C2 |
| Operator | Sri Lanka Air Force |
| Registration | SFM-5202 161 (MSN)[2] |
| Flight origin | Bandaranaike International Airport, Sri Lanka |
| Fatalities | 1 |
| Survivors | 0 |
The incident
editThe two Kfirs from No. 10 Squadron were conducting final rehearsals for the flypast scheduled for the next day, as part of the SLAF's 60th-anniversary celebrations, with their routine involving a low-flying circuit over the SLAF base at Ratmalana before returning to Katunayake on 01 March 2011, when they collided at 9.30 am (local time). The incident took place roughly 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) off Yakkala.[5][6]
Both pilots ejected from their aircraft. Squadron Leader Jayakody's parachute deployed successfully, allowing him to land safely in a paddy field. However, Flight Lieutenant Perera's parachute failed to open, and he tragically succumbed to injuries upon impacting a coconut tree.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b "Accident IAI Kfir C2 SFM-5201, Tuesday 1 March 2011". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
- ^ "Mid-air collision Accident IAI Kfir C2 SFM-5202, Tuesday 1 March 2011". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
- ^ a b Kirinde, Chandani (6 March 2011). "Shocked residents see Kfirs crashing, pilot plummeting". www.sundaytimes.lk. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
- ^ "S. Lanka jets crash at Air Force Day rehearsal; pilot killed". Reuters. 1 March 2011. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- ^ "SLAF Investigates into Kfir Crash | Sri Lanka Air Force". Sri Lanka Air Force. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
- ^ "VIDEO: Two Kfir jets collide during rehearsals". adaderana.lk. 1 March 2011. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
