What happened
During the final approach phase, an Il-76 was flying at an altitude of 120 meters and approximately 3 kilometers from the runway threshold when it was struck by an RPG. The projectile, believed to have been launched from a rebel-controlled vessel, impacted the left main landing gear. This impact immediately triggered a fire on the aircraft.
Despite the damage and the ensuing fire, the aircraft managed to complete its landing safely. All 15 occupants on board were able to evacuate the plane without any injuries. However, emergency response efforts were significantly delayed because the airport's single available firefighting vehicle was unable to reach the site for approximately one hour due to a lack of fuel.
Due to the extent of the damage sustained during the strike, the aircraft was declared a total loss and was subsequently stripped for parts. One week after the initial incident, technicians representing the Belarusian operator returned to Mogadishu to retrieve usable components and materials from the wreckage.
Findings
During the recovery operation, a second Il-76 belonging to the same operator was targeted by a missile strike during its departure, resulting in the destruction of that aircraft as well.