Zone

Crash of a Xian H-6D into the Persian Gulf: 6 killed

Date & Time: Feb 25, 1988
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
Over the lower Persian Gulf when attacked the Danish tanker 'Kirsten Maersk' (or an Iranian warship) with a C.601 anti-shipping missile, the heavy bomber was shot down by an F-14A of the 81st TFW of the Iranian Air Force (piloted by Captain G. Esmaeli) with an AIM-54A air-air missile. The aircraft went out of control and crashed into the sea, killing all six crew members.
Probable cause:
Shot down by the pilot of an Iranian fighter.