Chinese-built K-8 trainer Jet Crashes in Wariyapola; Pilots eject safely

• SLAF probes whether K-8 Jet crash was due to technical fault or pilot error
• No decision to ground remaining K-8 Jet  
•  K-8 crash marks 3rd training aircraft incident since 2020     

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya   

A Chinese-built K-8 Advanced Jet Trainer aircraft of the  Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) crashed yesterday in the Wariyapola area,  Kurunegala, during a training exercise, raising concerns about the  safety and operational readiness with remaining aircraft in service.  Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the accident.    

Yesterday’s crash marks the latest in a series of incidents  involving Chinese-manufactured trainer aircraft, as the SLAF faces  increasing challenges with its fleet.   

The SLAF fleet had seven K-8 aircraft in total; however, only two were operational, with one remaining after this crash.   

Sri Lanka initially purchased six K-8 Karakorum trainers  from China in 2001, establishing No. 14 Squadron to train pilots for its  newly expanded fleet. Over the years, the SLAF added several K-8 jets  to its fleet, with some undergoing overhauls at the Aircraft Overhaul  Wing (AOW) at the SLAF Base in Katunayake.   

Yesterday’s incident marks the third training aircraft crash since 2020.   

The K-8 aircraft, used for advanced training of pilots  assigned to the No. 05 Fighter Squadron at the Sri Lanka Air Force Base  in Katunayake, crash-landed in Wariyapola early in the morning. Both  pilots aboard safely ejected and landed at the Minuwangate College  premises in Padeniya, Kurunegala, using parachutes.   

The Chief Training Instructor Pilot and the Trainee Pilot  were evacuated and were admitted to the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital for  treatment. The aircraft had taken off from Katunayake Base at approximately 07:27 am, with the crash occurring at around 07:55 am.   

In response to the incident, Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe,  Commander of the Air Force, appointed a seven-member Special  Investigation Committee to determine the cause of the accident.   

Sources told the Daily Mirror that it is too early to  determine whether the cause of the accident was a technical fault with  the aircraft or pilot error.   

It was learnt that no decision has been made to ground the remaining operational K-8 trainer jets following the crash. 

The SLAF has experienced multiple incidents involving Chinese-manufactured trainer aircraft in the past years.   

On December 15, 2020, a PT-6 aircraft took off from China  Bay Airport in Trincomalee but crashed near Kantale, resulting in the  death of the trainee pilot. On August 7, 2023, another PT-6 crashed  shortly after takeoff from the Trincomalee Air Force station, killing  both the pilot and the flight engineer. Following the August 2023 crash,  the SLAF grounded its entire PT-6 fleet for further investigation.   

The K-8, also known as the Hongdu JL-8 or Karakorum-8, is a  two-seat, single-engine, advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft  designed and manufactured by China’s Hongdu Aviation Industry  Corporation and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex. The prototype of  the aircraft was built in 1989, with the first flight taking place on  November 21, 1990.   

The K-8 is in service with several air forces, including those of China, Egypt, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, and Sri Lanka.   
In January 2025, a Pakistan Air Force PK-8 Mushshak crashed  at the Pakistan Air Force Academy in Risalpur due to a technical  malfunction, killing the pilot.   

In addition, a K-8 of the Air Force of Zimbabwe crashed in  Gweru on February 6, 2025, with the sole pilot on board also losing his life.