On March 10, 1983, a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter (registration YA-GAZ) operated by Bakhtar Afghan Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Shashgow Ghazni, Afghanistan in flight. 19 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Loss of control after the crew continued under VFR mode in adverse weather conditions. It was also determined that the crew suffered physical impairment due to a lack of oxygen while flying at high altitude. 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.
Following departure from Tarinkot Airport, the crew continued VFR flight in deteriorating weather, climbed to 18,500 feet, lost control, and crashed into a mountain in Ghazni. All 19 occupants were killed. The investigation found loss of control due to VFR flight in adverse weather and crew physical impairment from hypoxia.
Accident Summary
The accident occurred after the aircraft departed from Tarinkot (Urozgan) Airport en route to Kabul. Weather conditions deteriorated during the flight, and the crew decided to climb to an altitude of 18,500 feet while operating under visual flight rules (VFR). While flying in poor weather conditions, the crew lost control of the aircraft, which subsequently crashed on the slope of a mountain located in Shashgow, Ghazni.
Occupants and Fatalities
The aircraft carried 19 occupants, all of whom were killed in the crash.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation determined that the probable cause of the accident was loss of control after the crew continued flight under VFR mode in adverse weather conditions. Additionally, it was found that the crew suffered physical impairment due to a lack of oxygen while flying at high altitude.