Colombo - Palaly
Flight / Schedule
Colombo - Palaly
Aircraft
Antonov AN-32Registration
CR-865
MSN
35 10
Year of Manufacture
1996
Operator
Sri Lanka Air ForceDate
February 21, 1997 at 10:45 AM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Military
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Crash Location
Colombo-Ratmalana Western Province (<U+0BAE><U+0BC7><U+0BB2><U+0BCD> <U+0BAE><U+0BBE><U+0B95><U+0BBE><U+0BA3><U+0BAE><U+0BCD>)
Region
Asia • Sri Lanka
Crash Cause
Human factor
Narrative Report
On February 21, 1997 at 10:45 AM, Colombo - Palaly experienced a crash involving Antonov AN-32, operated by Sri Lanka Air Force, with the event recorded near Colombo-Ratmalana Western Province (<U+0BAE><U+0BC7><U+0BB2><U+0BCD> <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.
63 people were known to be on board, 4 fatalities were recorded, 59 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 6.3%.
Crew on board: 4, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 59, passenger fatalities: 4, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is human factor. During the takeoff roll at Colombo-Ratmalana Airport, the captain was ready to start the rotation when he suspected a technical problem and decided to abort the takeoff. At the same time, confusion sets in the cockpit and the copilot inadvertently retracts the landing gear, causing the aircraft to sink on the runway. It slid for few dozen metres and came to rest, bursting into flames. Four passengers were killed.
Aircraft reference details include registration CR-865, MSN 35 10, year of manufacture 1996.
Fatalities
Total
4
Crew
0
Passengers
4
Other
0
Crash Summary
During the takeoff roll at Colombo-Ratmalana Airport, the captain was ready to start the rotation when he suspected a technical problem and decided to abort the takeoff. At the same time, confusion sets in the cockpit and the copilot inadvertently retracts the landing gear, causing the aircraft to sink on the runway. It slid for few dozen metres and came to rest, bursting into flames. Four passengers were killed.
Cause: Human factor
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
4
Passengers On Board
59
Estimated Survivors
59
Fatality Rate
6.3%
Known people on board: 63
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Colombo - Palaly
Operator
Sri Lanka Air ForceFlight Type
Military
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Region / Country
Asia • Sri Lanka
Aircraft Details
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