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Embraer EMB-120RT shoot down in Somalia

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Old 5th May 2020, 14:51
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Embraer EMB-120RT shoot down in Somalia

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

Last edited by Teddy Robinson; 5th May 2020 at 15:01. Reason: Factual correction of thread title.
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Old 5th May 2020, 14:55
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It was an Embraer Brasilia (EMB-120).

https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20200504-0
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Old 5th May 2020, 14:58
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Ok thanks, I will amend accordingly.
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Old 5th May 2020, 16:35
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Reports suggest downed by an RPG.
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Old 5th May 2020, 17:30
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More here

https://www.garoweonline.com/en/news...board-are-dead
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Old 5th May 2020, 17:40
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Terrible loss. Poor crew. RIP.

Kind of puts that 727 orbit at Mogadishu in a different light.
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Old 5th May 2020, 17:41
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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.
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Old 5th May 2020, 18:22
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Originally Posted by sprite1
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
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Old 5th May 2020, 18:41
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Originally Posted by Teddy Robinson
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.
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Old 5th May 2020, 19:53
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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 ))))))
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Old 5th May 2020, 21:34
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Originally Posted by 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 ))))))
King of the Junglies


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Old 6th May 2020, 07:25
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Originally Posted by Teddy Robinson
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)
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Old 9th May 2020, 08:57
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Reports in Kenyan media that Ethiopian forces have admitted shooting it down and this bizarre letter is on twitter

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Old 9th May 2020, 10:41
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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.
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Old 10th May 2020, 10:24
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Originally Posted by 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.
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.
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Old 10th May 2020, 17:26
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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?
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Old 11th May 2020, 17:13
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Originally Posted by 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?
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
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Old 11th May 2020, 21:02
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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.
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Old 12th May 2020, 08:26
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Originally Posted by 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.
The aircraft was shot down by Ethiopian troops.
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Old 12th May 2020, 08:42
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Originally Posted by Teddy Robinson
The aircraft was shot down by Ethiopian troops.
With one of these

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