Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) says a board of inquiry has been appointed and an investigation has been initiated into the emergency landing of a Bell 212 helicopter near the Lunuwila Bridge.
Issuing a statement, the SLAF said the inquiry has been launched under the directives of the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe.
The probe comes after a SLAF Bell 212 helicopter, which had been engaged in distributing dry and fresh rations to the flood-affected communities in the Lunuwila area, made an emergency landing near the Lunuwila Bridge yesterday.
Five Air Force personnel, including two pilots, were onboard at the time of the incident. With the assistance of residents in the area, all injured personnel were promptly evacuated and transferred to Maravila Base Hospital for further medical treatment.
Despite the best efforts of the medical team, the Captain Pilot, Wing Commander Nirmal Siyambalapitiya, tragically succumbed. A highly experienced helicopter pilot, he had accumulated over 3,000 flying hours during his distinguished service.
The Co-Pilot and the other three Air Force personnel onboard have survived the incident and are currently receiving medical care. (Newswire)