Investigation Summary
The bombing occurred during a period of intense civil conflict in Sri Lanka. Flight 512 was a multi-leg international service that had successfully completed its journey from Europe and the Middle East. While on the ground in Colombo, the aircraft suffered a delay due to damage sustained during cargo loading operations. This delay proved critical, as the explosive device was reportedly set to detonate while the aircraft was en route to Malé. At approximately 09:10, as the final passengers were boarding, the bomb exploded in the rear section of the aircraft. The force of the blast was sufficient to sever the tail section from the rest of the fuselage. The Sri Lankan government attributed the attack to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), suggesting the timing was intended to disrupt ongoing peace negotiations mediated by India. A subsequent search of the wreckage reportedly uncovered uniforms belonging to the Black Tigers, the LTTE's suicide wing, though no group officially claimed responsibility for the bombing.
Final Conclusions
The Sri Lankan government concluded that the explosion was an act of sabotage perpetrated by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The investigation identified the source of the blast as a time bomb placed within the aircraft's spare parts kit (Fly Away Kit) or concealed within meat exports destined for the Maldives. The official findings stated the attack was a deliberate attempt to sabotage peace talks between the government and Tamil militants.
Photographic Evidence (1)
Video Analysis
AirLanka Flight 512 Cockpit Voice Recorder — A brief overview of the 1986 terrorist bombing of an Air Lanka Lockheed TriStar on the ground in Colombo, which resulted in 21 fatalities.
If playback is blocked, the owner has disabled embedding — use the link above.
Airframe & Maintenance
Systems & Failure Modes
Fly Away Kit
A storage container kept on board the aircraft containing essential spare parts for maintenance at outstations; the bomb was hidden inside this kit.
Fuselage Structure
The Lockheed L-1011's rear fuselage was completely severed by the force of the internal explosion.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was named 'City of Galle'.
- 02The aircraft's Manufacturer Serial Number (MSN) was 193P-1061 and it was manufactured in 1974.
- 03The explosion occurred 20 minutes before the flight's scheduled departure.
- 04The bomb was hidden in the aircraft's 'Fly Away Kit', a container for spare parts.
- 05A delay caused by cargo loading damage likely prevented the bomb from exploding mid-air.
- 06Victims included citizens of Britain, France, West Germany, Japan, Pakistan, and the Maldives.
- 07While most sources confirm 21 fatalities, the BAAA records 16; this may reflect immediate versus total deaths including those who succumbed to injuries later.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Enhanced Cargo Screening
Following the bombing, security protocols for screening 'Fly Away Kits' and commercial cargo exports at Bandaranaike International Airport were significantly tightened.