On September 21, 1993, a Tupolev TU-134 (registration 4L-65893) operated by Transair Georgia Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Sukhumi-Babushara, Georgia during landing or approach. 27 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft was destroyed by a Strela surface-to-air missile fired from a separatist patrol boat. 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.
A charter flight traveling from Sochi to Sukhumi crashed into the sea after being struck by a missile during its final approach.
What happened
A charter flight operating between Sochi and Sukhumi, which was transporting a group of Russian and foreign journalists, crashed while approaching Babushara Airport. During the final approach phase, at an altitude of approximately 300 meters, the aircraft was struck by a surface-to-air Strela missile. Following the impact, the plane went down in the bay near Sukhumi, landing roughly 4 km away from the coastline. The accident resulted in 27 fatalities, with no survivors reported among the occupants.
Findings
Investigations concluded that the crash was caused by a missile strike launched from a patrol boat operated by Abkhazi separatists.
Probable cause
The aircraft was destroyed by a Strela surface-to-air missile fired from a separatist patrol boat.