Antonov AN-26 crash, Mar 30, 2000 (40 killed), Anuradhapura
Antonov AN-26 accident on March 30, 2000 near Anuradhapura, North Central Province, Sri Lanka with 40 fatalities. Cause: Shot down by a surface-to-air...
- Date: March 30, 2000
- Aircraft: Antonov AN-26
- Location: Anuradhapura, North Central Province, Sri Lanka
- Fatalities: 40
- Phase of flight: Approach and landing
- Cause: Shot down by a surface-to-air missile fired by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.
An Sri Lanka Air Force Antonov An-26 carrying military personnel from Palaly to Colombo reported an engine fire and diverted to Anuradhapura. It went out of control on approach and crashed in woodland about 14.5 km from the airport, killing everyone on board. Police later linked the attack to an LTTE missile fired from the Wilpattu area, and two former LTTE cadres were sentenced for it.