Cargo aircraft shot down over Atlantic Ocean near Angola

11 fatalities • Angola, Angola • Flight

An 11-person cargo flight traveling from Abidjan to Namibia crashed into the Atlantic Ocean after being intercepted and downed by Angolan military forces.

What happened

A cargo flight operating from Abidjan toward Rundu, Namibia, entered Angolan airspace while traversing the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. During the cruise phase of the flight, the crew established contact with Air Traffic Control (ATC) following an incident where they were instructed to divert into Angolan territory for control and identification purposes.

Reports indicate that the crew did not comply with the instruction to divert. Following this refusal to alter their course toward Angola, the Angolan Army took action against the aircraft. The aircraft type was subsequently brought down by military forces, resulting in a crash into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Angola. There were no survivors in the accident, with a total of 11 fatalities recorded.

Findings

The investigation concluded that the aircraft was shot down by the Angolan Army after the crew failed to follow instructions to divert for regulatory control.

Probable cause

The aircraft was destroyed by military fire following the crew's refusal to divert into Angolan airspace.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1997-12-22 Antonov AN-72 accident near Angola, Angola?

An 11-person cargo flight traveling from Abidjan to Namibia crashed into the Atlantic Ocean after being intercepted and downed by Angolan military forces.

Were there any fatalities in the 1997-12-22 Antonov AN-72 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 11 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1997-12-22 involved a Antonov AN-72, registration ER-ACF, operated by Renan, at Angola, Angola.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft was destroyed by military fire following the crew's refusal to divert into Angolan airspace.

Loading the flight search…