Two Air Force Kfir jets crash, one pilot killed
Two Air Force Kfir jets crashed during a rehearsal at Yakkala today morning killing one of the pilots, an Air Force official said.
Initial reports said that both pilots had ejected themselves and escaped, but later the air force confirmed one of them was killed. Flight Lt M. Perera had been killed while Sq Leader Vajira Jayakody had escaped.
Mr Jayampathi Gamage who visited the scene soon after the accident said at least 12 houses had been damaged by the crash and trees within an area of about 800 metre radius had been damaged.
"There was a school nearby, but no damage has been caused. Parents were rushing to get the children from the school", he said.
He said the crash had occurred at the Nelligahamula junction on the 231 bus route and a part of the wing was fallen on the main road."It is was lucky that no persons on the ground had been killed or severely injured in the crash. But there are many coconut trees whcih have been damaged", he said.
The rehearsal was for the 60th anniversary of the air force which is being marked on Wednesday with fly-past aerobatics and a skydiving display. President Mahinda Rajapaksa has been invited as the chief guest for the event at the Ratmalana air base.
The President visited the scene of the crash a short while back, a spokesman for the President’s office said.
