Incident Overview
A charter flight carrying four passengers and a single pilot was en route from Fíngoè to Tete when the aircraft was struck by a surface-to-air missile while cruising at an altitude of 4,700 feet. The right engine caught fire immediately after the impact.
Emergency Response
The pilot initiated a rapid descent and chose to divert to Songo Airport for an emergency landing. Shortly after the missile strike, the right engine detached from the aircraft. Despite the critical situation, the pilot successfully landed the aircraft on the runway at Songo Airport and brought it to a stop.
Occupant Safety
All five occupants—the pilot and four passengers—escaped the aircraft safely. No injuries were reported. The aircraft, however, was subsequently destroyed by fire.
Investigation Findings
Official investigation determined that the aircraft was struck by a surface-to-air missile fired by Frelimo rebels. The rebels mistakenly believed the aircraft was Rhodesian.