Air Force PT6 training aircraft crashed in Kantale

The Sri Lanka Air Force PT-6 training light aircraft that disappeared from radar screen after it took off from China Bay, Trincomalee has crash landed near a stream bordering the Janaranjana tank in Sooriyapura, Kantale, Police said.   

Airforce and Police rescue teams are presently in the area trying to get the pilot out from the crashed aircraft.

The trainee pilot identified as K.R.S.V.B. Amarakoon found dead at the crash spot. 

The PT-06 aircraft was among the six aircrafts that were given to Sri Lanka Airforce in May, 2018 by a Chinese manufacturer called M/S CATIC of China. 

The Aircraft, painted in a new colour scheme of the SLAF, were inspected and flight tested by SLAF Engineers and Pilots and were deemed to be in conformance with the specifications and ready to be inducted into the SLAF Fleet, according to a statement issued by the Air Force at that time. 

The Aircraft are currently being utilized at the No1 Flying Training Wing at the SLAF Academy, China Bay for the ab initio training of newly enlisted pilots.