On January 18, 1984, an Antonov AN-12 (registration CCCP-11429) operated by Soviet Air Force - Voyenno-vozdushnye sily CCCP was involved in an aviation accident near Mazari Sharif, Afghanistan during landing or approach. 8 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Shot down by a surface-to-air missile. 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.
While descending to Mazari Sharif with a load of ammunition, a four-engine aircraft was hit by a surface-to-air missile after passing below low clouds, causing both left engines to fail. The aircraft crashed 40 km from the airport, killing all eight occupants.
Incident Overview
A four-engine aircraft operating a flight from Kandahar to Mazari Sharif with a load of ammunition was shot down by a surface-to-air missile while descending toward its destination. The crew encountered poor visibility due to low clouds during the descent. After the aircraft passed below the cloud layer, it was struck by the missile, which caused both left engines to fail. The aircraft subsequently crashed approximately 40 kilometers from Mazari Sharif Airport.
Casualties
All eight occupants of the aircraft were killed in the accident.
Probable Cause
According to official findings, the probable cause of the accident was that the aircraft was shot down by a surface-to-air missile.