Embraer EMB-120RT shoot down in Somalia

[Teddy Robinson]

Story from the BBC.

Please note that this was an EMB 120, rather than the aircraft shown on the BBC website.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-52545582

[J.O.]

It was an Embraer Brasilia (EMB-120).

https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20200504-0 (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ZgWYL7RB_pKV-d4cUsx2-wtvbSkssAMZC1IUpk1PCR3h5kTKtdj9uZKe1VtRBWr9Z2k1Da3q3qGEpGkWE oQLnaT6UJoE7D6cE6aB1dM018a3kJn_6lTU4IjccD5f-D28L8RmQ1oAnSrQ0wnqc0xGRK5o6pQOim1RpHpHDq7x_hK7QiVTHoQBVmaVn PxvnEHMy7bTffT1o1p912n8KvKzVfcNl_nco7wOnEY2IojaEg4=&c=qOmKAppKwb2MmrR0k4zt4KecRmSgNPhQ_UT7V2ZZI73EHi17cLju7A==&ch=fT-LUFam1zKwBj1JIdypP6h7iQs7_4TMnoaStedtoyWx4YQ9b3fuSg==)

[Teddy Robinson]

Ok thanks, I will amend accordingly.

[DaveReidUK]

Reports suggest downed by an RPG.

[double_barrel]

More here

https://www.garoweonline.com/en/news/somalia/a-cargo-plane-shot-down-in-somalia-all-on-board-are-dead

[sprite1]

Terrible loss. Poor crew. RIP.

Kind of puts that 727 orbit at Mogadishu in a different light.

[grizzled]

Certainly could have been an RPG, but if so it was a very lucky (unlucky to those one board) shot.

The large numbers of EDF troops and equipment at and near the airport would also suggest the presence of other weapons which could have been used.

Time will tell -- or not.

[Teddy Robinson]

Terrible loss. Poor crew. RIP.

Kind of puts that 727 orbit at Mogadishu in a different light.

I agree with your sentiments. Having spent best part of 3 years flying in and out of Mogadishu, it’s no place for complacency or the faint hearted, the strips inland even more so.

The crews flying those missions are highly skilled and aware of the risks.

Sad day.

Is an RPG hit on such a small moving target at 2300 feet without guidance really possible? It seems a somewhat unlikely explanation, I always presumed that the RPG was a close in weapon

[trim it out]

Is an RPG hit on such a small moving target at 2300 feet without guidance really possible? It seems a somewhat unlikely explanation, I always presumed that the RPG was a close in weapon
Self detonates at ~900m (works out for 2300’ with a bit of slant angle). Turns into a decent bit of flack then as Taliban found out at our expense.

[cpt]

Years ago I met a Yemeni telling me that he was considered as a hero in his country because he had managed to shoot down an AN12 with his RPG, I also have heard about 2 different cases of RPG rockets going through flying helicopter airframes without detonating at all because they missed hitting a strong enough frame to trigger the detonator. ( I believe the crews became ardent believers after this ))))))

[trim it out]

Years ago I met a Yemeni telling me that he was considered as a hero in his country because he had managed to shoot down an AN12 with his RPG, I also have heard about 2 different cases of RPG rockets going through flying helicopter airframes without detonating at all because they missed hitting a strong enough frame to trigger the detonator. ( I believe the crews became ardent believers after this ))))))

“King of the Junglies (https://www.fleetairarm.com/exhibition/sea-king-za298-king-of-the-junglies/4-52.aspx)”

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/590x453/d14207e8_b1d6_4f5c_b83e_29b06486a869_417091491bc5b2025cba0b8 0ed51c180585690aa.jpeg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/682x400/a060a5f1_d199_499e_9ec5_837b2d074ba3_108bbfd50c9f130b1eb29b9 fc8b1774d40080e58.jpeg

[double_barrel]

I agree with your sentiments.
having spent best part of 3 years flying in and out of Mogadishu, it’s no place for complacency or the faint hearted, the strips inland even more so.

The crews flying those missions are highly skilled and aware of the risks.

Sad day.

Is an RPG hit on such a small moving target at 2300 feet without guidance really possible? It seems a somewhat unlikely explanation, I always presumed that the RPG was a close in weapon


I don't know how they can know it was at 2,300'. But reports also say it crashed 5Km from the airport which is likely to be reasonably accurate. I would expect it to be a lot lower than 2,300' AGL at 5Km out. (I can't find the elevation of Berdale, but I assume it's high and so the numbers are AGL)

[double_barrel]

Reports in Kenyan media that Ethiopian forces have admitted shooting it down and this bizarre letter is on twitter

https://twitter.com/Jasiri_TEA/status/1259010386268954624/photo/1

[atakacs]

This is indeed a bizarre communication - whoever produced this nonsense did make a complete fool of himself.

Is this an active combat zone ? Muss say I am not up to date to the local conditions.

[Teddy Robinson]

This is indeed a bizarre communication - whoever produced this nonsense did make a complete fool of himself.

Is this an active combat zone ? Muss say I am not up to date to the local conditions.

Local conditions are both unpredictable and unstable things can change in a moment, and suicide attacks are not at all unusual.

It is a great shame, the Somalis are a wonderful people, and they don't deserve this misery.

[meleagertoo]

Teddy, wonderful people they may be in some respects, but their violent, tribal and and warlike nature makes the situation 100% culturally self inflicted as you well know.
Me against my Brother -remember?

[Teddy Robinson]

Teddy, wonderful people they may be in some respects, but their violent, tribal and and warlike nature makes the situation 100% culturally self inflicted as you well know.
Me against my Brother -remember?

I don't think this is the place for prejudice,
The history of Somalia is intricate, complex, and brutal.
That does not detract from those working hard for peace and cultural change.

TR

[West Coast]

Is it prejudice if it’s the truth? Or is it simply an uncomfortable truth?

Spent my share of time in country, it’s as described.

[Teddy Robinson]

Is it prejudice if it’s the truth? Or is it simply an uncomfortable truth?

Spent my share of time in country, it’s as described.

The aircraft was shot down by Ethiopian troops.

[double_barrel]

The aircraft was shot down by Ethiopian troops.

With one of these
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/450x293/450px_zu_23_30_m1_3_innovationday2013part1_40_79ed2f54bc5ae9 7e4a06335930a137cd91fc4320.jpg

[meleagertoo]

Carrying 'medical supplies' was it?
Those bales in the photos look suspiciously unlike it to me.

[Teddy Robinson]

Carrying 'medical supplies' was it?
Those bales in the photos look suspiciously unlike it to me.

Bales of grenades ? AK47's ? MANPADS ?

Sorry but your conspiricy theory looks extremely unlikely.
There are far more photos of the crash site, the ripped open packaging shows nothing of the nature you describe or imagine.

[double_barrel]

Bales of grenades ? AK47's ? MANPADS ?

Sorry but your conspiricy theory looks extremely unlikely.
There are far more photos of the crash site, the ripped open packaging shows nothing of the nature you describe or imagine.

I imagine he imagines they were bales of chat (khat, Qat, Kat, Chat, Miraa). It would not surprise me if any spare space was used for this purpose, it is perfectly legal.

[Teddy Robinson]

I imagine he imagines they were bales of chat (khat, Qat, Kat, Chat, Miraa). It would not surprise me if any spare space was used for this purpose, it is perfectly legal.

Oh of course ... I forgot about that !! :rolleyes:

[West Coast]

The aircraft was shot down by Ethiopian troops.


My comments are aside to the who and the how of the shoot down.

[Teddy Robinson]

My comments are aside to the who and the how of the shoot down.

That is very obvious.

[West Coast]

That is very obvious.


The best I can say is thankfully they were mostly poor shots. Most, not all.