Summary
- A Rubystar Airways Ilyushin II-76 cargo aircraft crashed near Gao International Airport, resulting in a total loss of the aircraft and possibly the occupants. The circumstances of the crash are currently unknown.
- Initial reports suggesting the aircraft was owned by Wagner, a private military company in Russia, have been disputed. Local sources claim the aircraft belonged to the Malian military and was carrying military cargo.
- The Ilyushin II-76 is a widely used military transport aircraft known for its versatility in carrying heavy cargo and troops. The crash is still under investigation, and the cause is yet to be determined.
An Ilyushin II-76 cargo aircraft operated by Rubystar Airways crashed near Gao International Airport (GAQ) in Mali. The incident involving the Soviet Union-era plane occurred on Saturday under unknown circumstances. The available footage shows that the crash resulted in a complete loss of the aircraft and, potentially, the occupants.
The Incident
On September 23, the Soviet-era plane, Ilyushin II-76 cargo aircraft (Registration EW-412TH) crashed near GAQ airport. The aircraft was registered in Belarus and operated by the nation’s cargo operator, Rubystar Airways. The operator is headquartered in Minsk, Belarus, and operates a fleet of five Ilyushin II-76TD aircraft. At this point, very little is known about the circumstances under which the aircraft crashed. The wreckage was identified near the airport in Mali, which suggests a total loss of the airframe.
The aircraft was reportedly flown from Minsk (MSQ) to Mali and was scheduled to fly to Istanbul (SAW). Some initial reports have suggested that the aircraft was owned by Wagner, a private military company in Russia. Wagner has been in the news in recent times, particularly following the crash of the Embraer Legacy 600, in which the head of the company, Yevgeny Prigozhin, also perished. The Wagner Group had recently criticized the Russian invasion of Ukraine and led a rebellion in the country.
According to the Aerotime Hub, some local sources have reported that the aircraft was not linked to or owned by the Wagner group. Instead, it belonged to the Milian military and was carrying military-type cargo for the Malian armed forces. However, there is no information about the type or content of the wreckage of the doomed jet. The number and fate of the crew members onboard the aircraft is also not known.
Footage shows a streak of black smoke in the land near Gao Airport. The tilted T-tail of the Ilyushin aircraft is visible, with the rest of the airframe supposedly lost. The investigation into the crash is ongoing by the airport and other authorities. The investigators must be keen to learn the circumstances under which the plane crashed. It will be some time until the details are out and the probable cause of the crash is known.
The Ilyushin II-76
The Ilyushin Il-76 is a four-engine aircraft designed by the Soviet Union’s Ilyushin Design Bureau in the late 1960s. The aircraft was designed to serve as a strategic airlifter to carry out passenger and cargo missions. The aircraft is widely used for transporting heavy cargo to remote areas with restricted conditions. The aircraft also carries military troops for deployment to various remote locations.
Photo: Atakan Divitlioglu | Shutterstock
The Ilyushin Il-76 is a widely used military transport aircraft known for its versatility and capability to carry heavy cargo and troops. It is often used for humanitarian and military missions, making it a crucial asset in various operations. The circumstances leading to the crash are still under investigation.
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Source: Aerotime Hub