It was determined that the airplane was shot down by a surface-to-air missile fired by soldiers from the Front Polisario.
— NTSB Determination
The aircraft was engaged in a reconnaissance mission and taking part to the Battle of Gueltat Zemmour (13 to 29 October 1981), carrying five crew members. En route, the airplane was shot down by a surface-to-air missile and crashed near Gueltat Zemmour, bursting into flames. All five crew members were killed.
Probable cause (official findings): It was determined that the airplane was shot down by a surface-to-air missile fired by soldiers from the Front Polisario.
The aircraft was engaged in a reconnaissance mission and taking part to the Battle of Gueltat Zemmour (13 to 29 October 1981), carrying five crew members. En route, the airplane was shot down by a surface-to-air missile and crashed near Gueltat Zemmour, bursting into flames. All five crew members were killed.…
The accident was fatal, resulting in 5 fatalities.
The accident on 1981-10-12 involved a Lockheed C-130 Hercules, registration CNA-OH, operated by Royal Moroccan Air Force - Forces Royales Air, at Gueltat Zemmour, Western Sahara.
It was determined that the airplane was shot down by a surface-to-air missile fired by soldiers from the Front Polisario.
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