What happened
Shortly after departing from Luena, an aircraft operating a cargo flight for the World Food Program was cruising at 16,000 feet when it sustained a direct hit from a surface-to-air missile. The projectile impacted the number one engine, causing immediate damage to the propulsion system. In response to the strike, the crew initiated a descent to a lower altitude in an attempt to perform an emergency landing.
During the descent, the aircraft went down in an open field within the Luena region. The impact resulted in the aircraft bursting into flames. While all seven occupants successfully exited the cabin following the crash, the aftermath proved fatal for one member of the crew. The pilot died after stepping on a landmine during the evacuation process, and a second crew member sustained serious injuries.
Findings
- The primary cause of the crash was the impact of a surface-to-air missile on the aircraft's engine.