1987 Bakhtar Afghan Airlines Antonov An-26 shootdown
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- Near Khost, Afghanistan
- 33°20′N 69°55′E / 33.333°N 69.917°E
 Antonov An-26 aircraft similar to the one involved in the incident | |
| Shootdown | |
|---|---|
| Date | 11 June 1987 |
| Summary | Missile attack |
| Site |
|
 | |
| Aircraft | |
| Aircraft type | Antonov An-26 |
| Operator | Bakhtar Afghan Airlines |
| Registration | YA-BAL |
| Flight origin | Kandahar |
| Destination | Kabul |
| Occupants | 55 |
| Passengers | 50 |
| Crew | 5 |
| Fatalities | 53 |
| Injuries | 2 |
| Survivors | 2 |
The 1987 Bakhtar Afghan Airlines Antonov An-26 shootdown was a military incident that occurred on 11 June 1987, during the Soviet–Afghan War. A Bakhtar Afghan Airlines Antonov An-26 was shot down by a missile near Khost, Afghanistan, resulting in 53 fatalities out of the 55 people on board. Afghan mujahideen insurgents fired the missile that struck the Bakhtar Afghan Airlines Antonov An-26. These insurgents were using surface-to-air missiles supplied by international supporters, including the United States as part of their efforts to combat Soviet and Afghan government forces during the Soviet–Afghan War.[1]
Bakhtar Afghan Airlines, the national carrier of Afghanistan, operated domestic flights across the country, often over conflict zones. The Antonov An-26 involved in this incident, registered as YA-BAL, was manufactured in 1985 and was actively used for domestic flights within Afghanistan.[2]
Aircraft details
The Antonov An-26 is a twin-engined turboprop civilian and military transport aircraft, known for its robustness and versatility. It can carry up to 40 passengers or 5,500 kg of cargo and features a rear ramp door for quick loading and unloading. The aircraft involved, registered as YA-BAL, had the manufacturer's serial number 14105.[2]