On 3 May 1986, the Lockheed L-1011 Tristar serving the flight was on the ground in Colombo, about to fly on to Malé, when an explosion ripped the aircraft in two, destroying it.

[1] Boarding of the flight had been delayed due to the aircraft being damaged during cargo / baggage loading.

[2] During boarding, a bomb, hidden in the aircraft's 'Fly Away Kit' (a collection of small spare parts[3]), exploded.

They reported that a search of the aircraft the next day uncovered a parcel containing uniforms with the insignia of the Black Tigers, the suicide wing of LTTE.

[1][5] Among the dead was the British wildlife artist Mouse MacPherson, her husband Tim and young daughter Iona.