17 fatalities

Downing of Aircraft on Mission Against Ramat David Air Base

Afula, IsraelFlight

On June 6, 1967, a Tupolev TU-16 operated by Iraqi Air Force - Al Quwwat al Jawwiya al Iraqiya was involved in an aviation accident near Afula, Israel in flight. 17 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Shot down by Israel antiaircraft battery. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 6 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft on a mission against the Israeli air base of Ramat David missed its target, bombing the town of Netanya and injuring civilians. It was shot down by anti-aircraft guns and crashed west of Afula, killing all 6 crew and 11–14 Israeli reservists on the ground.

Incident Overview

An aircraft engaged in a mission targeting the Israeli air base of Ramat David failed to strike its intended objective. Instead, it bombed the main street of the town of Netanya, injuring a number of civilians.

Bombing of Netanya

The bombing of Netanya resulted in civilian casualties. The aircraft missed the designated target at Ramat David and struck the urban area, causing injuries among the population.

Downing and Crash

The aircraft was subsequently shot down by 40 mm Bofors L/70 anti-aircraft guns operated by Israeli Unit 881 while flying at low altitude. It crashed into a military storage complex concealed within a pine forest west of Afula.

Casualties

All six crew members, including Captain Hussein Mohammad Husseini, were killed in the crash. Additionally, either 11 or 14 Israeli reservists on the ground at the military storage complex lost their lives.

Probable cause

Shot down by Israel antiaircraft battery.