4 fatalities

Fatal aircraft accident at Bamyan Airport (YA-GAT)

Bamyan, AfghanistanTakeoff (climb)

On April 18, 1973, a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter (registration YA-GAT) operated by Bakhtar Afghan Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Bamyan, Afghanistan during takeoff. 4 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft went out of control immediately following liftoff. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 3 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

A twin-engine airplane crashed during takeoff from Bamyan Airport, resulting in four fatalities and fifteen injuries.

What happened

During the takeoff phase at Bamyan Airport, a twin engine airplane experienced a loss of control immediately following liftoff. The aircraft subsequently crashed, leading to a significant casualty count. The incident resulted in four fatalities, including both pilots and two passengers. Among those who perished, all were identified as citizens of the United States and Canada.

In addition to the deaths, the accident caused 15 injuries among the other occupants on board. The sequence of events indicates that the loss of control occurred at the very beginning of the flight, preventing the crew from maintaining a stable ascent.

Probable cause

The aircraft went out of control immediately following liftoff.