Sri Lanka Air Force Antonov AN-26 plane crash

The Antonov An-26 operated for the Sri Lanka Air Force was carrying personnel when a problem was reported in flight. The crew reported an engine-related abnormality and began diverting in order to land as soon as possible.

About ten minutes after the first messages reporting difficulties, the aircraft crashed. All occupants were killed. Later claims attributed the loss to hostile fire in the context of the Sri Lankan conflict, while the initial information referred to a technical problem.

Investigation findings

We did not identify a publicly accessible official final report capable of independently determining whether the aircraft was lost because of a mechanical failure, an engine fire or hostile action. These possibilities are therefore presented as conflicting accounts rather than as an established investigation conclusion.