Mi-17s collide over Afghanistan, nine killed

On 13 October 2020 around 01:15 hrs LT, two Afghan Air Force (AAF) Mi-17V-5s were written off after they collided with each other, just after a night take-off from a forward operating base in Nawa-i-Barakzayi district, Helmand province (Afghanistan). The collision resulted in nine fatalties.

Helmand has been the scene of heavy clashes in recent days after hundreds of Taliban militants from two neighbouring provinces joined local militants and tried to capture Lashkar Gah. The collision happened after the helicopters had dropped commandos off and were carrying wounded security forces.

The Afghan Air Force is plagued with crashes. Only this month this accident is the fourth write-off. On 24 September 2020, an MD530F crashed due to technical failure in northern Baghlan province, killing its two pilots. On 1 September 2020, a Mi-17V-5 crashed during its landing in Rustaq district, Takhar province (no fatalities). Excluding these September crashes, the AAF faced seven other crashes during 2020, including a UH-60A, A-29B, 2x Mi-17, MD530, Mi-35 and a civilian Mi-8 that flew on behalf of the AAF.

The Afghan Air Force still has about one hundred Mi-8/-17s in its opational inventory.

Please have look at our up-to-date Afghan Air Fore Air Order of Battle, to learn about the disposition of the Afghan aircraft at www.scramble.nl/planning/orbats/afghanistan/afghan-air-force
Photo: AAF