Accident description
Last updated: 20 May 2013
| Status: | |
| Date: | 13 FEB 1983 |
| Time: | ca 21:00 |
| Type: | Learjet 35A |
| Operator: | Upali Air |
| Registration: | N482U |
| C/n / msn: | 35-482 |
| First flight: | |
| Engines: | 2 Garrett TFE731-2-2B |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 6 / Occupants: 6 |
| Airplane damage: | Missing |
| Airplane fate: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | ca 20 km off Kuala Selangor, Straits of Malacca (Malaysia) |
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | Executive |
| Departure airport: | Kuala Lumpur Subang International Airport (KUL/WMKK), Malaysia |
| Colombo-Katunayake International Airport (CMB/VCBI), Sri Lanka |
An Upali Air Learjet 35A was reported missing and presumed crashed into the Straits of Malacca. The corporate jet, carrying Sri Lankan multi-millionair businessman Upali Wijewardene, took off from Kuala Lumpur Subang International Airport (KUL) at 20:41. Last radio contact with the flight was 15 minutes after takeoff when the pilot reported to Subang ATC that he was climbing from FL270 to FL390. The pilot was supposed to contact Medan ATC, but contact was not established. A survival pack, believed to be from the Learjet, was found February 19.
Events:
Sources:
» ICAO Summary 1987-1
» New Straits Times - Feb 15, 1983
» New Straits Times - Feb 16, 1983
» New Straits Times - Feb 19, 1983
Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Kuala Lumpur Subang International Airport to Colombo-Katunayake International Airport as the crow flies is 2457 km (1535 miles).
Distance from Kuala Lumpur Subang International Airport to Colombo-Katunayake International Airport as the crow flies is 2457 km (1535 miles).
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
