Technical fault suspected in deadly SLAF Bell 212 crash, 6 military personnel dead

• CNL Reporter
• May 10, 2025
• News
• military personnel dead
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Apossible mechanical failure is suspected to have caused the crash of a Us-made Sri Lanka Air Force Bell 212 helicopter into the Maduru Oya Reservoir during a Special Forces demonstration yesterday, leaving six personnel dead.

It is learnt that the tail rotor may have failed mid-ight, leading to the fatal accident that has prompted a high-level investigation by the Air Force.

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) said that the Bell 212 helicopter crashed into the Maduru Oya Reservoir last morning due to an emergency situation during a helirappelling demonstration held for the Army Special Forces Passing Out Parade at the Special Forces Training School in Maduru Oya.

SLAF Spokesman Group Captain Eranda Geeganage said the helicopter had taken off from the Hingurakgoda Air Base at 6:46 a.m. and proceeded to the Maduru Oya Army Special Forces Training School.The crash occurred shortly after takeoff for the heli-rappelling demonstration. It is learnt that trained Special Forces troops were scheduled to perform the demonstration as part of the passingout event.

At the time of the incident, 12 individuals were on board, including two pilots, aircrew members, and Army Special Forces personnel. All occupants were initially rescued through great effort and admitted to the Aralaganwila Hospital for emergency treatment. They were subsequently transferred to the Polonnaruwa Base Hospital for further medical care, where six individuals, comprising two Air Gunnersand four Army Special Forces personnel, succumbed to their injuries. It was reported that the helicoptercrashed into deep water in the reservoir along with the onboard personnel.

The Aralaganwila Police, which is conducting the investigation, said that the deceased in the crash wereidentied as Sergeant W.M.S. Udaya Kumara, Corporal R.M.M. Methruwan, Corporal D.M.H.U. Dasanayake, Corporal M.S.L. Perera, Sergeant E.D. Thusitha, and Corporal H.D.P.N. Premaratne.

Police also said that the remaining injured soldiers are receiving treatment at the hospital. Nihal Gunathilaka, Deputy Director of the Polonnaruwa General Hospital, said that the condition of the other injured are not considered serious.

The passing-out parade for intakes 55 and 56 of the Army’s elite Special Forces was abruptly cancelled midway through the event following the incident.

The Bell 212, also known as the “Twin Two-twelve,” is a two-blade, twin-engine medium utility helicopter developed in the United States. First own in 1968, it has been widely used by both civilian and military operators. The aircraft can accommodate up to 15 passengers (including one pilot) and can carry an external load of up to 5,000 lb (2,268 kg).

The SLAF began operating Bell 212 helicopters in 1984, initially acquiring two units from the United States. The eet expanded in 1985 with nine additional helicopters. The No. 7 Helicopter Squadron at SLAF Base Hingurakgoda currently operates Bell 212s alongside Bell 206s for troop transport, medical evacuations (MEDEVAC), and pilot training.

Throughout the Sri Lankan Civil War, Bell 212s played a vital role in combat operations, including troop insertions, casualty evacuations, and close air support. The aircraft has also been utilised in peacetime roles such as disaster response, search and rescue, and humanitarian relief missions.

As of late 2023, the SLAF operated at least nine Bell 212 helicopters, though approximately ve were undergoing maintenance. Overhauls and repairs are handled by the Engineering Wing at SLAF Base Katunayake, with efforts underway to extend the operational life of these ageing airframes.

Despite earlier incidents involving Bell-type helicopters—such as a Bell 206 crash at Hingurakgoda Airport in April 2016 in which the pilot survived, yesterday’s incident was the rst reported crash involving a Bell 212 in SLAF service.

The incident adds to a series of aviation mishaps involving SLAF aircraft in recent years, particularly with trainer planes. On December 15, 2020, a PT-6 aircraft crashed near Kantale after taking off from China Bay Air Force Base in Trincomalee, killing a trainee pilot. On August 7, 2023, another PT-6 crashed shortly after takeoff from the same base, resulting in the deaths of both the pilot and ight engineer. Following the second incident, the SLAF grounded its entire PT-6 eet for investigation.

In response to ageing equipment and growing safety concerns, the SLAF said earlier that they are exploring options to modernise its eet and acquire new helicopters to enhance operational readiness and safety standards.