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10 fatalities

Twin-Engine Aircraft Shot Down on Blantyre–Lilongwe Route (7Q-YMB)

Ulongwé, MozambiqueFlight

On November 6, 1987, a Short SC.7 Skyvan Variant (registration 7Q-YMB) operated by Air Malawi was involved in an aviation accident near Ulongwé, Mozambique in flight. 10 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: It is believed the aircraft was mistakenly shot down while flying over an area of heavy fightings. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

A twin-engine aircraft was shot down by a surface-to-air missile while cruising from Blantyre to Lilongwe, crashing in Ulongwé and killing all 10 occupants.

Incident Overview A twin-engine aircraft operating a flight from Blantyre to Lilongwe was struck by a surface-to-air missile while at cruising altitude. The aircraft lost control and crashed in Ulongwé. ## Casualties All 10 occupants on board were killed in the crash. ## Official Findings The official investigation concluded that the aircraft was believed to have been mistakenly shot down while flying over an area of heavy fighting. No aircraft type, registration, operator, or specific date is provided in the source material, and no further details are available beyond the stated facts.

Probable cause

It is believed the aircraft was mistakenly shot down while flying over an area of heavy fightings.

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 6 Nov 1987 Short SC.7 Skyvan Variant accident near Ulongwé, Mozambique?

A twin-engine aircraft was shot down by a surface-to-air missile while cruising from Blantyre to Lilongwe, crashing in Ulongwé and killing all 10 occupants.

Were there any fatalities in the 6 Nov 1987 Short SC.7 Skyvan Variant accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 10 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 6 Nov 1987 involved a Short SC.7 Skyvan Variant, registration 7Q-YMB, operated by Air Malawi, at Ulongwé, Mozambique.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

It is believed the aircraft was mistakenly shot down while flying over an area of heavy fightings.

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