Country
code

Latakia Governorate (مُحافظة اللاذقية‎)

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.