Incident Overview
On final approach to Techamutete Airport, an aircraft was struck by a SAM-7 surface-to-air missile. The missile impact caused the aircraft to crash in a large explosion a few hundred meters short of the runway. The aircraft was totally destroyed, and all 29 occupants on board were killed. Among the fatalities was Brigadier General Francisco Cruz Bourzac, the deputy minister for Armament in the Cuban Government.
Cause Determination
The official investigation determined that the aircraft was mistakenly shot down by Cuban soldiers stationed near the airport. The soldiers believed the aircraft to be an enemy airplane.
Aftermath
The aircraft was completely destroyed in the crash and subsequent explosion. No further details regarding the aircraft type, registration, or operator were provided in the official report.