What happened
On 26 October 1983, a Douglas C-47 transport aircraft, registered in the United States, was performing a mission to deliver supplies to rebel forces opposing the Sandinista government in Nicaragua. During the operation, the aircraft was flying at a low altitude near Wanawás to facilitate the delivery of cargo.
While the plane was maneuvering through the area, it was targeted by a member of the Sandinista Popular Army using a portable Strela-2M (SA-7) missile. The projectile struck the engine on the left side of the aircraft. Although the missile did not detonate upon impact, the strike caused significant damage and filled the cabin with smoke.
Due to the smoke inhalation and mechanical damage, the pilot was forced to perform an emergency landing. While the crew members initially survived the crash, the co-pilot succumbed to his injuries on 26 October 1983, bringing the total fatalities to one.
Findings
The primary factor in the accident was the impact of a surface-to-air missile fired from the ground, which compromised the aircraft's engine and forced the crew to abandon the flight.