Aca Ancargo Antonov AN-26 plane crash

The Antonov An-26 operated by ACA-Ancargo had departed Saurimo, Angola. About twenty minutes after takeoff, contact with the aircraft was lost. The aircraft crashed and there were no survivors.

Conflicting accounts emerged in the hours following the accident. UNITA claimed that the aircraft had been shot down, while statements attributed to the Angolan authorities later referred to a technical problem. These claims were made in the context of the Angolan conflict and, by themselves, do not establish the exact mechanism of the accident.

Investigation findings

We did not identify a publicly available official final investigation report capable of resolving these conflicting accounts. It is therefore not possible to present either hostile fire or a technical failure as an established cause. The only conclusion that can be retained with confidence is that the aircraft was lost shortly after departing Saurimo and that all occupants were killed.