Crash FACI Mi-24

On 10 September 2021, a Mil Mi-24 attack helicopter of the Force Aérienne de la Côte d'Ivoire (FACI, Ivory Coast Air Force) crashed in the northern part of the country near the border with Burkina Faso.

It was reported that the helicopter was on a reconnaissance mission when it lost contact at around 02:00 hrs LT. In the morning, the wreckage was found and unfortunately all five people on board were killed in the accident.

An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash. In this part of the country and especially near the border with Burkina Faso, the Ivory Coast Army has faced several attacks by militant groups. It is not ruled out that the helicopter has been shot down.

The FACI only had three Mi-24s in its active inventory. On 27 January 2021, Scramble Magazine reported on the delivery of a new, most probably also ex Bulgarian Air Force, Mi-24D with serial TU-VHT.

Photo via pan.bg