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108 fatalities

Sukhumi-Babushara Airport Missile Strike (4L-85163)

Sukhumi-Babushara, GeorgiaLanding (descent or approach)

On September 22, 1993, a Tupolev TU-154 (registration 4L-85163) operated by ORBI Georgian Airways - ORBI Air Company was involved in an aviation accident near Sukhumi-Babushara, Georgia during landing or approach. 108 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Shot down by a surface-to-air missile fired by Abkhazi separatists. 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

An aircraft was shot down by a surface-to-air missile during final approach to Sukhumi-Babushara Airport, killing 108 people and leaving 24 survivors.

Incident Overview During final approach to Sukhumi-Babushara Airport, the aircraft was struck by a surface-to-air missile. The impact caused the aircraft to crash near the runway threshold and burst into flames. The incident resulted in 108 fatalities and 24 survivors. All passengers on board were Georgian soldiers and police officers who had been dispatched to Sukhumi. The official investigation determined that the aircraft was shot down by a surface-to-air missile fired by Abkhazi separatists. No specific aircraft type, registration, date, or operator was provided in the source material, and therefore no such details are included in this account.

Probable cause

Shot down by a surface-to-air missile fired by Abkhazi separatists.

Related events

Same operator

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