Region

Crash of an Ilyushin II-20M off Latakia: 15 killed

Date & Time: Sep 17, 2018 at 2207 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RF-93610
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Hmeimim - Hmeimim
MSN:
173 0115 04
YOM:
1973
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
15
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
15
Circumstances:
The four engine aircraft departed Hmeimim AFB located southeast of Latakia at 2031LT on a maritime patrol and reconnaissance mission over the Mediterranean Sea. About an one hour and a half later, while returning to its base, the airplane was hit by a S-200 surface-to-air missile shot by the Syrian ground forces. At the time of the accident, four Israel F-16 fighters were involved in a ground attack onto several infrastructures located in the region of Latakia. Out of control, the airplane crashed into the Mediterranean Sea some 35 km west of Latakia. The following morning, Russian Authorities confirmed the loss of the aircraft that was inadvertently shot down by the Syrian Army forces and that all 15 crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a Syrian S-200 surface-to-air missile.

Crash of an Antonov AN-26 at Hmeimim AFB: 39 killed

Date & Time: Mar 6, 2018 at 1451 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RF-92955
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Kuweires – Hmeimim
MSN:
101 07
YOM:
1980
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
33
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
39
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Kuweires-Rasin El Aboud Airbase on a flight to Hmeimim AFB, carrying 33 passengers and a crew of six. On final approach, the aircraft went out of control and crashed about 500 metres short of runway, bursting into flames. There were no survivors among the 39 occupants. The airplane was registered RF-92955 (52 red). It is believed that the loss of control that occurred on short final was the result of low level windshear.

Crash of an Antonov AN-26 in Abu Adh Dhuhur: 30 killed

Date & Time: Jan 18, 2015
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
YK-AND
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Damascus - Abu Adh Dhuhur
MSN:
30 08
YOM:
1975
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
24
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
30
Circumstances:
The aircraft was performing a military cargo flight from Damascus, carrying food, potable water and ammunition for the Syrian soldiers fighting against the Islamic State. On final approach to Abu Adh Dhuhur AFB by night and foggy conditions, the aircraft descended too low and collided with high tension cables. It stalled and crashed in an open field located near the airport. All 24 passengers and six crew members were killed and the aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces.

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Moadamiyeh: 3 killed

Date & Time: Oct 7, 2007
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Damascus - Damascus
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training flight in Damascus. Apparently, the pilots encountered technical problems and attempted an emergency landing in an olive grove when the aircraft crashed against a wall. All three occupants were killed.

Crash of a Tupolev TU-154B-2 in Aleppo

Date & Time: Sep 24, 1988 at 1426 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-85479
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Yerevan - Aleppo
MSN:
81A479
YOM:
1981
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
158
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Yerevan, the crew initiated the approach to Aleppo in moderate turbulences. On final, the aircraft was unstable and out of trim when it adopted an excessive rate of descent of 5,5 meters per second and struck the runway surface. On impact, the undercarriage were torn off. The aircraft slid on its belly, overran and came to rest, broken in two. At least 60 occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
Wrong approach configuration on part of the crew who continued a visual approach in moderate turbulences with an unstable aircraft. The crew manually set the aircraft out of trim, causing the center of gravity to be aft the permissible limit.

Crash of a Boeing 707-348C in Damascus

Date & Time: Jan 26, 1982
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
7O-ACJ
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Tripoli - Damascus
MSN:
18737/377
YOM:
1964
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a cargo flight from Tripoli to Damascus, carrying a load of military equipment and spare parts. While descending to Damascus Airport, the airplane was attacked and several bullets went through an engine and the tail. The crew completed an emergency descent and was able to land without further problem. Nevertheless, the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Shot down by unknown.

Crash of a Tupolev TU-154 near Damascus: 4 killed

Date & Time: Mar 23, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
LZ-BTB
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Sofia - Damascus - Sharjah
MSN:
72A027
YOM:
1972
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Aircraft flight hours:
7800
Circumstances:
On approach to Damascus Airport, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the three engine airplane struck the slope of a mountain located 22 km from the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all four crew members were killed. They were performing a cargo flight from Sofia to Sharjah with an intermediate stop in Damascus.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-62 near Damascus: 126 killed

Date & Time: Aug 20, 1975 at 0113 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
OK-DBF
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Prague - Damascus - Baghdad - Tehran
MSN:
31502
YOM:
1973
Flight number:
OK542
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
117
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
126
Circumstances:
While approaching Damascus International Airport by night and excellent weather conditions, the crew failed to realize his altitude was insufficient when the airplane struck the ground at an altitude of 605 meters AMSL and crashed in flames in a desert area located about 18 km from the airport. Rescue teams arrived on scene about 30 minutes later and two passengers, two Syrian citizens, were rescued. All 126 other occupants were killed, among them 67 Czechs, 55 Syrians, 3 Polish and one East-German. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were ideal with good visibility despite the night and a wind from 230° at 10 knots.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. However, it is believed that the accident may have been caused by a wrong altimeter setting after the crew mixed QNH and QFE values.

Crash of a De Havilland CC-115 Buffalo in Al-Dimass: 9 killed

Date & Time: Aug 9, 1974
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
115461
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Beirut - Damascus
MSN:
16
YOM:
1968
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
The airplane was engaged in a special flight from Beirut to Damascus, carrying UNO personnel and various logistical equipment. While descending to Damascus Airport, the airplane was mistakenly shot down by three Syrian surface-to-air missiles and crashed near Al-Dimass. All nine occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, Syria was engaged in military combat with Israel fighters at the border with Lebanon.
Probable cause:
Shot down by Syrian surface-to-air missile.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-40-DK in Aleppo: 8 killed

Date & Time: Feb 6, 1967
Operator:
Registration:
YK-ACB
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Damascus - Aleppo
MSN:
16811/33559
YOM:
1945
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
16
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
On final approach to Aleppo-Nejrab Airport, the crew encountered marginal weather. In limited visibility, the aircraft was too low when it struck a building, stalled and crashed few hundred yards short of runway threshold. Eight occupants were killed while 11 others were injured. It was reported that the crew was completing the approaching below the glide.