On May 15, 1997, a Yakovlev Yak-40 (registration 4K-87504) operated by Azerbaijan Airlines - AZAL Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Gyandzha, Azerbaijan during landing or approach. 6 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: A group of Azeri soldiers returning along the highway from the range to the barracks wanted to have fun and were shooting at road signs. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 3 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A training flight crashed at Gyandzha Airport after soldiers shot at the aircraft, causing oxygen bottle explosions, fire, and pilot incapacitation. Six crew killed.
Incident Overview
A crew was completing a local training flight at Gyandzha Airport. They had performed three full-stop landings and one touch-and-go manoeuvre. After completing a circuit, the crew was attempting a new approach when the aircraft nosed down to an angle of 70° and crashed 5,160 metres short of the runway and 93 metres to the left of its extended centerline. The aircraft disintegrated on impact. All six crew members were killed.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined that a group of Azeri soldiers returning along the highway from the range to the barracks wanted to have fun and were shooting at road signs. When they saw the airplane, they shot towards it. Two bullets punched oxygen bottles, which exploded, causing a fire and intoxicating the pilots, who lost control of the airplane.