No fatalities

Mid-air collision involving two Ariana Afghan Airlines aircraft at Kabul Airport (YA-AAB)

Kabul, AfghanistanTaxiing

On January 15, 1969, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration YA-AAB) operated by Ariana Afghan Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Kabul, Afghanistan while taxiing. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The precise cause of the collision between the two aircraft at Kabul Airport remains unknown. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 7 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-06-14Data APIEditorial standards

Two aircraft operated by Ariana Afghan Airlines collided during ground operations at Kabul Airport, resulting in the total loss of one plane.

What happened

An incident involving a mid-air collision occurred at Kabul Airport between two planes belonging to the operator Ariana Afghan Airlines. The collision involved a Douglas C-47, bearing registration YA-AAB, and a Douglas DC-6, registered YA-DAN.

Following the impact, the aircraft with registration YA-AAB sustained severe damage that rendered it a total loss, as it was deemed beyond repair. In contrast, the Douglas DC-6 (registration YA-DAN) underwent repairs and was returned to service. The incident resulted in zero fatalities and zero injuries to those on site.

Findings

The specific circumstances surrounding how the two aircraft collided remain undetermined, as the exact sequence of events leading to the contact has not been established.

Probable cause

The precise cause of the collision between the two aircraft at Kabul Airport remains unknown.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 15 Jan 1969 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident near Kabul, Afghanistan?

Two aircraft operated by Ariana Afghan Airlines collided during ground operations at Kabul Airport, resulting in the total loss of one plane.

Were there any fatalities in the 15 Jan 1969 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 15 Jan 1969 involved a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), registration YA-AAB, operated by Ariana Afghan Airlines, at Kabul, Afghanistan.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The precise cause of the collision between the two aircraft at Kabul Airport remains unknown.