What happened
A flight departing from Kariba Airport for Salisbury at 17:10 local time experienced a catastrophic mid-air event during its initial climb. During the ascent, the aircraft was struck by a SAM-7 missile, which caused significant damage to the right wing. Following the impact, the crew reported an emergency as both engines on the right side of the plane ceased functioning.
In an attempt to manage the loss of power, the pilots lowered the aircraft's altitude and sought to perform an emergency landing. However, the four-engine aircraft crashed into the Whamira Hills, located approximately 35 km southeast of Kariba. The force of the impact caused the plane to disintegrate.
The accident resulted in 38 fatalities and 18 survivors. Following the crash, members of the Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA) reached the wreckage site and killed 10 of the individuals who had survived the initial impact. Rescue teams were able to reach the location one day later, successfully evacuating eight people from the site.
Findings
The primary factor in the loss of the aircraft was the impact of a SAM-7 missile on the right wing, which led to the failure of two engines and the subsequent inability to maintain flight.