2018 Russian Air Force Antonov An-26 crash

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2018 Russian Air Force Antonov An-26 crash
Antonov An-26 4602, Ostrov RP67919.jpg
A Russian Air Force Antonov An-26 similar to the one involved
Accident
Date6 March 2018 (2018-03-06)
SummaryLoss of control on final approach
SiteNear Khmeimim Air Base, Syria
Aircraft
Aircraft type Antonov An-26
Operator Russian Air Force
Registration RF-92955
Flight origin Kuweires air base, Syria
Destination Khmeimim air base, Syria
Occupants39
Passengers33
Crew6
Fatalities39
Survivors0

On 6 March 2018, an Antonov An-26 transport aircraft crashed on approach to Khmeimim air base in Syria, killing all 39 people on board. All of them were servicemen of the Russian Armed Forces, [1] including Major-General Vladimir Yeremeyev. [2]

Contents

Aircraft

The accident aircraft was an Antonov An-26, registration RF-92955, msn 10107. It had first flown in 1980. [3] This accident is the fifteenth An-26 fatal crash in this decade with a total of 159 deaths, none of these flights were scheduled passenger airline operations. [4]

Accident

On the day of the accident, the aircraft was alleged to transport Russian military staff estabilished in Syria from Kuweires Military Airbase to Khmeimim air base. [3]

At about 14:00 local time (12:00 UTC), the aircraft crashed in approach to the air base at about 500 metres (1,640 ft) from the runway, killing all 39 occupants (33 passengers and 6 crew members). [5] Based on reports from the location, the Russian Ministry of Defense ruled out the possibility that it was shot down. [6] The preliminary cause was attributed to technical malfunction. [5] The Investigative Committee of Russia and the Russian Military Prosecutor's Office opened criminal cases concerning the crash.

Shootdown claims

The Islamic militant group Jaysh al-Islam later claimed the responsibility for the crash; according to Ad-Diyar , five militants shot at the aircraft with heavy machine guns when it was 100 m from the ground. It was suggested that the claim might be false, as the group has made opportunistic claims in the past, as have some other groups. [7]

Cause

The accident was caused by a Wind shear occurred during the final phase of the approach leading to a loss of control and subsequent crash short of the runway. [3]


References

  1. ↑ "В Минобороны РФ уточнили число погибших в авиакатастрофе Ан-26 в Сирии" (in Russian). Zvezda . Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  2. ↑ "The Latest: UN official says Syria claims 'ridiculous'". Washington Post. 7 March 2018. Archived from the original on 7 March 2018. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 "RF-92955 Accident description". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  4. ↑ Ranter, Harro. "Aviation Safety Network > ASN Aviation Safety Database > Type index > ASN Aviation Safety Database results". aviation-safety.net. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  5. 1 2 "Russian plane crash in Syria 'kills 32'". BBC. 6 March 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  6. ↑ "Более тридцати человек погибли при крушении российского Ан-26 в Сирии" (in Russian). RIA Novosti. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  7. ↑ "Сирийская группировка заявила, что сбила Ан-26 у Хмеймима". Moskovsky Komsomolets (in Russian). Retrieved 7 March 2018.

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