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

It was an Embraer Brasilia (EMB-120).

https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20200504-0

Ok thanks, I will amend accordingly.

Reports suggest downed by an RPG.

More here

https://www.garoweonline.com/en/news...board-are-dead

Terrible loss. Poor crew. RIP.

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

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.

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

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.

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://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....0585690aa.jpeg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....d40080e58.jpeg

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)

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

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.

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

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.

With one of these
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....cd91fc4320.jpg