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42 fatalities

Aircraft Shot Down by Surface-to-Air Missile During Descent to Cazombo

Cazombo, AngolaLanding (descent or approach)

On July 23, 1989, an Antonov AN-26 operated by Angola Air Force - Força Aérea Nacional Angolana was involved in an aviation accident near Cazombo, Angola during landing or approach. 42 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.

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

An aircraft was hit by a surface-to-air missile fired by UNITA rebels while descending to Cazombo from Luena. It crashed 40 km from the airport, killing 42 occupants and injuring six.

Incident Overview During a flight from Luena, an aircraft was struck by a surface-to-air missile while descending to Cazombo. The missile was fired by UNITA rebels and hit one of the aircraft's engines. The crew then elected to make an emergency landing. The aircraft crashed 40 km from the airport and burst into flames. The incident resulted in 42 fatalities among the occupants and six injuries among passengers. No specific aircraft type, registration, date, operator, or location beyond the route and distance from the airport is provided in the source. ## Probable Cause The official findings state that the aircraft was shot down by a surface-to-air missile.

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 23 Jul 1989 Antonov AN-26 accident near Cazombo, Angola?

An aircraft was hit by a surface-to-air missile fired by UNITA rebels while descending to Cazombo from Luena. It crashed 40 km from the airport, killing 42 occupants and injuring six.

Were there any fatalities in the 23 Jul 1989 Antonov AN-26 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 42 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 23 Jul 1989 involved an Antonov AN-26, operated by Angola Air Force - Força Aérea Nacional Angolana, at Cazombo, Angola.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Shot down by a surface-to-air missile.

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