On August 9, 1979, a Britten-Norman Islander (registration OA-2) operated by Botswana Defence Force - Air Wing was involved in an aviation accident near Botswana, Botswana in flight. 2 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft was destroyed by ground-to-air fire from a Rhodesian Army Alouette III helicopter. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A twin-engine aircraft on a delivery mission from the UK to Botswana was destroyed by military fire while flying over the country's northeast region.
What happened
A delivery flight traveling from the United Kingdom to Botswana ended in a fatal crash while traversing the northeastern territory of Botswana. The twin engine airplane was operating as a transport mission to relocate the aircraft to its new destination.
During the transit, the aircraft was targeted and struck by gunfire from an Alouette III helicopter operated by the Rhodesian Army. This engagement resulted in the immediate destruction of the plane. There were two fatalities recorded, as both occupants on board the aircraft perished during the incident.
Findings
The investigation concluded that the primary reason for the loss of the aircraft was that it was shot down by an Alouette III helicopter belonging to the Rhodesian Army.
Probable cause
The aircraft was destroyed by ground-to-air fire from a Rhodesian Army Alouette III helicopter.