3 fatalities

Mortar Strike at Kandahar Airport Destroys Aircraft, Kills Three Crew

Kandahar, AfghanistanLanding (descent or approach)

On July 12, 1987, an Antonov AN-12 operated by Soviet Air Force - Voyenno-vozdushnye sily CCCP was involved in an aviation accident near Kandahar, Afghanistan during landing or approach. 3 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Struck by a mortar shell upon landing. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-11Data APIEditorial standards

A four-engine aircraft was destroyed by a mortar shell after landing at Kandahar Airport, killing three crew members and injuring three others.

Incident

After making a landing at Kandahar Airport, a four-engine aircraft was struck by a mortar shell. The impact caused the aircraft to veer out of control and depart the runway surface. It then collided with a building that housed radio installations. The collision ignited a fire, and because the aircraft was carrying a load of ammunition, the fire led to several explosions. These explosions destroyed the aircraft completely.

Casualties and Damage

The accident resulted in three crew members suffering injuries, while three other crew members were killed. The aircraft was destroyed by the fire and subsequent explosions.

Probable Cause

The official findings state that the probable cause was that the aircraft was struck by a mortar shell upon landing.