Palaly - Colombo

On March 30, 2000 at 12:00 AM, Palaly - Colombo experienced a crash involving Antonov AN-26, operated by Sri Lanka Air Force, with the event recorded near Anuradhapura North Central Province (<U+0BB5><U+0B9F> <U+0BAE><U+0BA4><U+0BCD><U+0BA4><U+0BBF><U+0BAF> <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 landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

40 people were known to be on board, 40 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 4, crew fatalities: 4, passengers on board: 36, passenger fatalities: 36, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is terrorism act, hijacking, sabotage. The aircraft departed Jaffna-Palaly Airport on a flight to Colombo, carrying mostly Marines officers. While in cruising altitude, the pilot reported an engine fire and diverted to Anuradhapura Airport. On approach, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in a wooded area located 14,5 km from the airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 40 occupants were killed.

Aircraft reference details include registration UR-79170, MSN 47313410, year of manufacture 1980.