Seaplane Crash at Gregory Lake: Cinnamon Air Responds

COLOMBO (News 1st); A Cessna seaplane met with an accident this afternoon while attempting to land on Gregory Lake, a popular tourist attraction in Nuwara Eliya.

Police confirmed that the two pilots on board sustained injuries and were admitted to Nuwara Eliya Hospital for treatment.

The aircraft had flown from Bandaranaike International Airport to Nuwara Eliya to transport a group of tourists. However, at the time of the incident, there were no passengers on board.

Rescue efforts were swift, with personnel from nearby tourist establishments, the Sri Lanka Navy, and the Police working together to save the pilots.

Captain Daminda Rambukwella, Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority, stated:

“A Cessna 208 Caravan 410 aircraft reported an incident while landing on Gregory Lake in Nuwara Eliya. Both the pilot and co-pilot were safely rescued. The Civil Aviation Authority, under the guidance of the Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation, immediately dispatched our inspectors to the site. They are currently en route and will conduct a formal investigation upon arrival.”

Cinnamon Air, the operator of the aircraft, issued a statement this afternoon clarifying the situation.

The company emphasized that no passengers were on board at the time of the incident and confirmed that all crew members are safe.
The statement further noted that Cinnamon Air is working closely with the Civil Aviation Authority and highlighted its strong safety record:

“Cinnamon Air has been operating commercial flights since 2013, safely transporting over 80,000 passengers. Safety remains our highest priority.”

Authorities have launched a formal investigation into the cause of the accident. 

Gregory Lake, known for scenic seaplane landings, remains under close watch as aviation experts assess the situation.