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14 fatalities

Twin-Engine Aircraft Shot Down Near Malakal Airport (ST-AIJ)

Malakal, South SudanTakeoff (climb)

On May 6, 1987, a Cessna 404 Titan (registration ST-AIJ) operated by SASCO Air Lines (Sudanese Aeronautical Services Company) was involved in an aviation accident near Malakal, South Sudan during takeoff. 14 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Shot down by a surface-to-air missile fired by SPLA forces. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-11Data APIEditorial standards

A twin-engine aircraft was shot down by a surface-to-air missile while climbing after takeoff from Malakal Airport, killing all 14 occupants, most of whom were European tourists.

Incident Overview A twin-engine aircraft was destroyed after being shot down by a surface-to-air missile during its climb following takeoff from Malakal Airport. The crash occurred a few kilometers from the airport. All 14 people on board were killed, and the majority of the victims were European tourists. The official investigation attributed the loss of the aircraft to a missile fired by SPLA forces. No aircraft type, registration, operator, or specific date was provided in the source material. ## Official Findings The probable cause was determined to be the aircraft being shot down by a surface-to-air missile fired by SPLA forces. The source does not specify additional contributing factors or circumstances beyond the missile strike.

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