The PT-6 training aircraft that lost communications with the control tower in China Bay, Trincomalee, has crashed near 'Janaranjana' tank in Suriyapura. One pilot has been spotted inside.

SLAF Media Spokesman stated that the air traffic controller has lost contact with a PT-6 Aircraft of the Air Force that took off from China Bay in Trincomalee.

Purchased in 2018 from China
The Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal KVB Jayampathy signed the acceptance of 6 Brand New PT-6 Aircraft on 15 May 2018 at AVIC Hongdu in Nanchang, China. The Aircrafts, painted in the recently introduced colour scheme of the SLAF, were inspected and flight tested by SLAF Engineers and Pilots and were deemed to be in conformance with the specifications and ready to be inducted into the SLAF Fleet.

The Aircraft was to be utilized at the No1 Flying Training Wing at the SLAF Academy, China Bay for the ab initio training of newly enlisted pilots.