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2011 Sri Lanka Kfir mid-air collision

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2011 Sri Lanka Kfir mid-air collision
A SLAF IAI Kfir fighter jet
Accident
Date1 March 2011; 13 years ago (2011-03-01)
SummaryMid-air collision
SiteYakkala, Gampaha, Sri Lanka
Total fatalities1
Total survivors1
First aircraft
TypeIAI Kfir C2
Operator Sri Lanka Air Force
RegistrationSFM-5201
Flight originBandaranaike International Airport, Sri Lanka
Fatalities0
Survivors1
Second aircraft
TypeIAI Kfir C2
Operator Sri Lanka Air Force
RegistrationSFM-5202
Flight originBandaranaike International Airport, Sri Lanka
Fatalities1
Survivors0

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][2]

The incident

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The 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.[3][4]

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.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b Kirinde, Chandani (6 March 2011). "Shocked residents see Kfirs crashing, pilot plummeting". www.sundaytimes.lk. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  2. ^ Ranter, Harro. "Mid-air collision Accident IAI Kfir C2 SFM-5202, Tuesday 1 March 2011". asn.flightsafety.org. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  3. ^ "SLAF Investigates into Kfir Crash | Sri Lanka Air Force". Sri Lanka Air Force. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  4. ^ "VIDEO: Two Kfir jets collide during rehearsals". adaderana.lk. 1 March 2011. Retrieved 29 November 2024.