The revelation was made at a Press conference where it was also disclosed that the aircraft had documented just 288 hours and 50 minutes of flying time.

The plane crashed at 6.09 am while on a journey from Katunayake to Ratmalana.
Just before the crash the pilot had reported to the control tower that he was 2000 feet above sea level.

He conveyed to the control tower that visibility was poor and he could not see the landing strip at the Ratmalana airport.

The pilot, squadron leader JMWM Abeywardena, co-pilot Lt. ALDT Amaratunga, Flight Sgt Prasanna and Corporal Wijeratne were killed in the crash.

Another member of the crew leading aircraftsman Chathuranga is currently undergoing treatment at the General Hospital in Colombo.

Two houses were also damaged in the crash.

The Air Force has also appealed to the public to refrain from removing and parts from the crash site as an investigation was underway.