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27 fatalities

Charter Flight Shot Down Over Sukhumi Bay (4L-65893)

Sukhumi-Babushara, GeorgiaLanding (descent or approach)

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: Shot down by a Strela missile fired by Abkhazi separatists based on a 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.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-11Data APIEditorial standards

A charter aircraft carrying journalists was hit by a Strela missile on final approach to Babushara Airport. The plane crashed into Sukhumi Bay, killing all 27 occupants.

Incident Overview and Flight Details The aircraft was operating a charter flight from Sochi to Sukhumi. The passenger manifest included foreign and Russian journalists. During the final approach to Babushara Airport, the aircraft was at an altitude of 300 meters when it was struck by a surface-to-air Strela missile. The impact caused the aircraft to crash into the bay of Sukhumi, approximately 4 kilometers offshore. All 27 people on board were killed in the incident. ## Official Investigation Findings The official investigation determined that the aircraft was shot down by a Strela missile. The missile was fired by Abkhazi separatists who were operating from a patrol boat.

Probable cause

Shot down by a Strela missile fired by Abkhazi separatists based on a patrol boat.

Related events

Same operator

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