Flight Lt. Eranga Chamara Ekanayake, co-pilot of the Sri Lanka Air Force Bell 212 helicopter that crashed into the Gin Oya on Nov. 30, told the Marawila Magistrate’s Court that both he and the main pilot detected a technical fault before the aircraft went down.
The helicopter was conducting relief operations for flood-affected communities when it crashed in Lunuwila, Wennappuwa, killing the main pilot, Wing Cmdr. Nirmal Siyambalapitiya, 41.
Testifying during a court inquiry on Tuesday, Ekanayake said the aircraft departed from Katunayake Air Force Base around 5 p.m. to deliver dry rations. While flying over Wennappuwa, the crew identified people signalling for aid near the Gin Oya bridge.
Due to crowds and nearby power lines, they were unable to land and instead dropped an aid parcel from the air, he said.
Ekanayake said that while searching for a suitable landing site, both pilots noticed a possible technical issue. As Wing Cmdr. Siyambalapitiya attempted to control the aircraft, it suddenly crashed into the river.
The co-pilot said he and three others managed to escape and pulled the main pilot from the wreckage before transporting him to Marawila Base Hospital.
Magistrate Dinidu Samarasinghe ordered that investigations continue formally and the case to be called at a later date. (Newswire)