1 fatality

Kabul Airport Takeoff: Aircraft Destroyed by Stinger Missile

Kabul, AfghanistanTakeoff (climb)

On December 21, 1987, an Antonov AN-26 operated by Soviet Air Force - Voyenno-vozdushnye sily CCCP was involved in an aviation accident near Kabul, Afghanistan during takeoff. One person was killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Shot down by a Stinger 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.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft was hit by a Stinger missile after takeoff from Kabul Airport, striking the left engine. All six crew members bailed out; five were uninjured, but the captain was killed when his parachute failed to open.

Incident Overview and Immediate Aftermath Following takeoff from Kabul Airport, the aircraft was struck by a Stinger missile during its climb. The missile impact was localized to the left engine. The event resulted in the aircraft crashing and being completely destroyed. ## Crew Egress and Casualties All six crew members on board successfully bailed out of the aircraft. Five of the occupants sustained no injuries during the egress. The captain, however, was killed. The official findings indicate that the captain's parachute failed to open, leading to his fatality. ## Official Findings The investigation concluded that the probable cause of the accident was the aircraft being shot down by a Stinger missile.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 21 Dec 1987 Antonov AN-26 accident near Kabul, Afghanistan?

An aircraft was hit by a Stinger missile after takeoff from Kabul Airport, striking the left engine. All six crew members bailed out; five were uninjured, but the captain was killed when his parachute failed to open.

Were there any fatalities in the 21 Dec 1987 Antonov AN-26 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 1 fatality.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 21 Dec 1987 involved an Antonov AN-26, operated by Soviet Air Force - Voyenno-vozdushnye sily CCCP, at Kabul, Afghanistan.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Shot down by a Stinger missile.