What happened
The aircraft departed from Aden-Khormaksar Airport with the objective of attacking the airfield at Mekele in Ethiopia. While traveling toward its target, the plane was engaged by an Italian fighter pilot and subsequently shot down. The wreckage came to rest in the Piano del Sale Desert area.
The impact resulted in immediate fatalities among the crew, while two other members sustained injuries. These survivors managed to travel approximately 145 kilometers on foot before receiving assistance from local residents. Despite their efforts, one of the injured crew members succumbed to their wounds eight days after the initial incident.
Findings
The official investigation concluded that the loss of the aircraft was directly caused by being shot down by an Italian fighter during its operational flight.