Surface-to-air missile strike on Avita Serviços Aéreos cargo flight

No fatalities • Luzamba, Angola • Takeoff (climb)

An Avita Serviços Aéreos cargo aircraft sustained engine damage from a surface-to-air missile shortly after departing Luzamba Airport, resulting in an emergency landing.

What happened

During a cargo operation for the Angolan carrier Avita Serviços Aéreos, an aircraft departed from Luzamba Airport bound for Luanda. Shortly after the takeoff phase, the plane was struck by a surface-to-air missile, which caused damage to one of the engines. Following the impact, the crew initiated a descent to a lower altitude to manage the situation.

The flight was forced to perform an emergency landing in an open field located approximately 30 km away from Luzamba. While the aircraft was successfully brought down, the five occupants of the plane were intercepted and taken into custody by UNITA rebels following their evacuation from the wreckage.

Findings

  • The primary cause of the emergency was the impact of a surface-to-air missile on the aircraft's engine during the initial climb.

Probable cause

The aircraft sustained engine damage due to being struck by a surface-to-air missile during takeoff.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1999-05-12 Antonov AN-26 accident near Luzamba, Angola?

An Avita Serviços Aéreos cargo aircraft sustained engine damage from a surface-to-air missile shortly after departing Luzamba Airport, resulting in an emergency landing.

Were there any fatalities in the 1999-05-12 Antonov AN-26 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1999-05-12 involved a Antonov AN-26, registration D2-FBN, operated by Avia Volga Atlantik, at Luzamba, Angola.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft sustained engine damage due to being struck by a surface-to-air missile during takeoff.

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