Colombo, March 1 : Two fighter jets crashed on the outskirts of Sri Lanka's capital Tuesday after a mid-air collision during rehearsal for an air force celebration, the military said.
One of the pilots was killed in the crash in the Yakkala area, 30 km east of the capital, a spokesman said.
The air force's 60th anniversary celebration Wednesday was to include aerobatics and skydiving.
Flight Lieutenant M. Perera ejected but his parachute apparently malfunctioned and he was killed. The other pilot ejected to safety, the spokesman said.
At least 12 houses sustained damage while a nearby school which was in class narrowly escaped impact, witness Jayampathi Gamage said.
"The trees within a radius of about 800 metres have been damaged, with the tops of some of the coconut trees being struck off," he said.
The jets had been used to attack Tamil separatist rebels in the military operations that ended the civil war in May 2009.
--IANS
Sri Lankan Air Force Kfir pilot had a mid-air heart attack, medical officer says
Friday, 4 March 2011 - 9:29 AM SL Time
The pilot of the Kfir fighter jet that collided with another in midair had a heart attack during the flight, the Negombo Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) Channa Perera has concluded.
According to local media reports, the pilot, 28-year-old Flight Lieutenant Monath Perera has suffered a heart attack during the flight losing control of the aircraft and colliding with the other jet.
The mid-air collision happened 20 minutes into the flight destroyed both aircraft in Yakkala area of Gampaha district on Tuesday.
Perera succumbed to his injuries after failing to eject while the other pilot, Squadron Leader Vajira Jayakody who has managed to eject himself from his aircraft has survived with minor injuries.
The two Kfir jets have taken off from the Air Base at Katunayake and were flying in tight formation rehearsing a fly past in preparation for the 60th anniversary celebrations of the Sri Lanka Air Force.
The Commander of the Air Force has appointed a Board of Investigation headed by Air Vice Marshal Kapila Jayampathi to look into the causes of the accident.
The funeral of Flight Lieutenant Perera will take place on Saturday in his hometown of Galle.
just a few weeks ago......, note the celebration flags....;
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