2018 Russian Air Force Antonov An-26 crash
2018 plane crash in Syria
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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]
- Near Khmeimim Air Base, Syria
A Russian Air Force Antonov An-26 similar to the one involved | |
| Accident | |
|---|---|
| Date | 6 March 2018 |
| Summary | Loss of control on final approach |
| Site |
|
| Aircraft | |
| Aircraft type | Antonov An-26 |
| Operator | Russian Air Force |
| Registration | RF-92955 |
| Flight origin | Kuweires air base, Syria |
| Destination | Khmeimim air base, Syria |
| Occupants | 39 |
| Passengers | 33 |
| Crew | 6 |
| Fatalities | 39 |
| Survivors | 0 |
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 established 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]