16 fatalities

Ilyushin Aircraft Shot Down over Mediterranean by Israeli Fighter (1101)

Mediterranean Sea, WorldFlight

On October 29, 1956, an Ilyushin II-14 (registration 1101) operated by Egyptian Air Force and Air Defence Command was involved in an aviation accident near Mediterranean Sea, World in flight. 16 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Shot down by an Israeli fighter. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 5 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

An Ilyushin aircraft returning to Cairo from Damascus with Egyptian military personnel was shot down by an Israeli Gloster Meteor NF.13 fighter over the Mediterranean Sea. All on board died. It was later confirmed that General Abed al-Hakim Amar was not on board.

Incident Details

An Ilyushin aircraft was en route from Damascus to Cairo, carrying members of the Egyptian Air Force and Air Defence Command. While cruising at an altitude of 10,000 feet, the aircraft was intercepted by a Gloster Meteor NF.13 belonging to the Israel Air Force. The Israeli Secret Services had been informed of the possible presence of Egyptian General Abed al-Hakim Amar on board and issued an order to shoot down the aircraft. The Meteor, crewed by one pilot and one navigator, attacked the Ilyushin multiple times. The aircraft subsequently went out of control and crashed into the Mediterranean Sea.

Casualties and Aftermath

All individuals on board the Ilyushin died in the crash. Later, Egyptian authorities confirmed that General Abed al-Hakim Amar was not on the flight. The official investigation attributed the cause to the aircraft being shot down by an Israeli fighter.

Probable cause

Shot down by an Israeli fighter.