Ilyushin II-18 crash, Feb 4, 2004, Colombo-Bandaranaike
Ilyushin II-18 accident on February 4, 2004 near Colombo-Bandaranaike, Western Province, Sri Lanka with no fatalities. Cause: Copilot entered an...
- Date: February 4, 2004
- Aircraft: Ilyushin II-18
- Location: Colombo-Bandaranaike, Western Province, Sri Lanka
- Fatalities: 0
- Phase of flight: Approach and landing
- Cause: Copilot entered an incorrect pressure setting on the altimeters, which put the aircraft low on approach and into the sea short of the runway. The captain then continued the approach and performed a belly landing.
An ExpoAir Ilyushin Il-18 freighter flying a night cargo service from Dubai to Colombo descended too low after the copilot set the wrong pressure value on the altimeters. The undercarriage struck the sea about 10.7 km short of runway 04. The captain initially went around but then continued and made a belly landing beside the runway. All seven occupants were unhurt and the aircraft was written off.