The Concrete Road

On December 27th, 2021, a Cessna 172L aircraft belonging to Sakurai Aviation encountered engine issues and crashed in a paddy field near Negombo, Sri Lanka. The crash occurred after the plane, en route to Koggala Airport from Sigiriya Airport, experienced a sudden engine RPM fluctuation and failure while carrying four passengers. The flight had initially taken off from Ratmalana Airport and was scheduled to land there post-Koggala.

The pilot, upon realizing that he had lost control of the engine power, declared a "MAYDAY" and crash-landed in the paddy field. However, the aircraft's nose wheel struck an unseen concrete road, breaking off and causing damage. The crash resulted in injuries to three of the four occupants.

This incident highlights the need for safer multimodal transport options in Sri Lanka, particularly as the government pushes for increased domestic aviation availability for tourism. The presence of concrete roads, which are often not visible from low altitudes, poses a significant risk for aircraft, especially during emergency landings. Countries like the United States have designated expressways where small to medium-sized aircraft can safely land, a feature absent in Sri Lanka's current infrastructure.

Moreover, the Sri Lankan government's National Aviation Policy of 2017 emphasizes the importance of helipads at regular intervals along highways for medical evacuation purposes. However, it remains to be seen if the government will prioritize the construction of safe landing zones for aircraft, especially given the ongoing highway reconstruction efforts.

The Minister of Aviation and Highways currently serves as the sole authority responsible for both aviation and highway regulations, raising questions about the government's commitment to ensuring safer transport in the future.