1987 Bakhtar Afghan Airlines Antonov An-26 shootdown

33°20′N 69°55′E / 33.333°N 69.917°E / 33.333; 69.917Total fatalities53Total injuries2Total survivors2AircraftAircraft typeAntonov An-26OperatorBakhtar Afghan AirlinesRegistrationYA-BALFlight originKandaharDestinationKabulOccupants55Passengers50Crew5Fatalities53Injuries2Survivors2

The 1987 Bakhtar Afghan Airlines Antonov An-26 shootdown was a military incident that occurred on June 11, 1987, during the Soviet–Afghan War. A Bakhtar Afghan Airlines Antonov An-26 was shot down by a missile near Khost, Afghanistan, resulting in 53 fatalities out of the 55 people on board. Afghan mujahideen insurgents fired the missile that struck the Bakhtar Afghan Airlines Antonov An-26. These insurgents were using surface-to-air missiles supplied by international supporters, including the United States as part of their efforts to combat Soviet and Afghan government forces during the Soviet–Afghan War.^[1]

Bakhtar Afghan Airlines, the national carrier of Afghanistan, operated domestic flights across the country, often over conflict zones. The Antonov An-26 involved in this incident, registered as YA-BAL, was manufactured in 1985 and was actively used for domestic flights within Afghanistan.^[2]

The Antonov An-26 is a twin-engined turboprop civilian and military transport aircraft, known for its robustness and versatility. It can carry up to 40 passengers or 5,500 kg of cargo and features a rear ramp door for quick loading and unloading. The aircraft involved, registered as YA-BAL, had the manufacturer's serial number 14105.^[2]

On June 11, 1987, the Antonov An-26 departed from Kandahar, carrying 55 people, including both passengers and crew members. The flight was part of Bakhtar Afghan Airlines' routine operations. Shortly after takeoff, as the aircraft was flying near Khost, it was targeted and struck by a surface-to-air missile. The missile caused catastrophic damage, leading to the aircraft crashing. The attack resulted in 53 fatalities, with only two survivors. ^[2]

The attack was part of the ongoing conflict during the Soviet–Afghan War, where insurgent groups frequently targeted aircraft, mistaking them for military transports. In this case, it was believed that the rebels thought the Antonov An-26 was a military Ilyushin Il-14.

• 1985 Bakhtar Afghan Airlines Antonov An-26 shootdown