DARSHANA SANJEEWA BALASURIYA 
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Pilot error caused K-8 trainer jet crash: Minister
Colombo, March 24 (Daily Mirror) - A recent crash involving a Sri Lanka Air Force aircraft was caused by an error by the pilots, Minister of Civil Aviation Bimal Rathnayake said.
The K-8 aircraft, which is used for the advanced training of pilots assigned to the No. 05 Fighter Squadron at the Sri Lanka Air Force Base in Katunayake, crashed on Friday morning in the Wariyapola area of Kurunegala during a routine training exercise. The two pilots onboard ejected safely and landed at the Minuwangate College premises in Padeniya, Kurunegala, with the aid of parachutes.
In response to the crash, the Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe formed a special investigation committee to probe the incident.
Minister Rathnayake, speaking to reporters said that he had received a copy of the investigation report from the technical committee. According to the report, the aircraft and its engines were in good condition and not outdated and that the accident was due to a pilot error.
"Unlike vehicles on the road, we cannot afford to allow outdated aircraft to fly. The pilots of this particular aircraft were still in training, and an error was made on their part. We are relieved that the pilots survived the incident. Such accidents are common during training and occur worldwide," the Minister said.
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