Trincomalee – Colombo

On December 18, 1958 at 12:00 AM, Trincomalee – Colombo experienced a crash involving De Havilland DH.104 Dove, operated by Sri Lanka Air Force, with the event recorded near Trincomalee-China Bay Eastern Province (<U+0B95><U+0BBF><U+0BB4><U+0B95><U+0BCD><U+0B95><U+0BC1> <U+0BAE><U+0BBE><U+0B95><U+0BBE><U+0BA3><U+0BAE><U+0BCD>).

The flight was categorized as military and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

5 people were known to be on board, 5 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 2, crew fatalities: 2, passengers on board: 3, passenger fatalities: 3, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. Shortly after takeoff from Trincomalee-China Bay Airport, while climbing, an engine failed. The airplane stalled and crashed in a huge explosion onto a fuel storage area. All five occupants were killed. Crew: F/Lt R. Varatharasa, F/Lt Shibley. Passengers: Lt Peiris, Maj Andrew J. Hacker, Sgt A. Guy.

Aircraft reference details include registration CS-403, MSN 04489, year of manufacture 1957.