The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) says that a Y-12 aircraft conducting training flights from the Colombo International Airport in Ratmalana today (15), was forced to divert after becoming entangled with kite strings.

Issuing a statement, the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) said a subsequent technical inspection revealed that the aircraft’s left wheel, left engine area and several other components had become heavily entangled with the kite strings.

The SLAF warned that kite strings or kite parts entering an aircraft’s engine or operational system pose a direct risk of causing severe damage to the entire aircraft.

Accordingly, the SLAF noted that the ongoing kite flying season has led to an increase in kite flying activities in the vicinity of airport runways and airport premises, posing a serious threat to aviation safety.

It further stated that kite flying in the vicinity of airport runways has been identified worldwide as a major cause of air accidents and is a direct hazard to aircraft operations.

According to the statement, widespread kite flying in the vicinity of runways in the areas of Katunayake, Ratmalana, Hingurakgoda, China Bay, Anuradhapura, Palaly, Katukurunda, Koggala, Vavuniya, Weerawila and Mattala has created a high-risk situation with the potential to result in significant loss of life and property.

The SLAF has therefore urged the public, especially those residing near airports and runways, to refrain from flying kites in such areas in order to ensure flight safety and protect the lives of passengers.