On July 1, 1999, an Antonov AN-12 (registration TN-AFR) operated by Savanair was involved in an aviation accident near Luzamba, Angola in flight. One person was killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft was struck and downed by a surface-to-air missile launched by UNITA rebels. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A cargo flight traveling from Luanda to Saurimo was struck by a surface-to-air missile, resulting in one fatality and several crew members being taken captive.
What happened
During a scheduled cargo operation flying from Luanda toward Saurimo, the aircraft was targeted and struck by a surface-to-air missile while maintaining cruising altitude. Following the impact, the flight crew initiated an emergency descent to a lower altitude in an attempt to stabilize the situation.
The crew subsequently attempted to perform an emergency landing in the vicinity of Luzamba. During the course of these events, one fatality was recorded among the crew members. Additionally, four other individuals on board were captured by UNITA rebel forces during the incident.
Findings
Investigations into the event concluded that the primary reason for the aircraft's destruction was the impact from an UNITA surface-to-air missile while the plane was in its cruise phase.
Probable cause
The aircraft was struck and downed by a surface-to-air missile launched by UNITA rebels.