Draft:Syrian Arab Airlines flight 501
Syrian Arab Airlines Flight 501 was a domestic passenger flight operated by Syrian Arab Airlines using an Airbus A320. On 20 September 2012, shortly after departure from Damascus International Airport, the aircraft was involved in a mid‑air collision with a Syrian military helicopter. The collision resulted in severe damage to the airliner's vertical stabilizer; the A320 returned safely to Damascus, while the helicopter crashed, killing its crew.[1][2][3]
| Accident | |
|---|---|
| Date | 20 September 2012 |
| Summary | Mid-air collision with Syrian military helicopter |
| Site | Near Damascus, Syria |
| Total fatalities | 3 (helicopter) |
| Total survivors | 151 (A320) |
| First aircraft | |
| Type | Airbus A320 |
| Operator | Syrian Arab Airlines |
| Registration | YK-AKF |
| Flight origin | Damascus International Airport, Damascus, Syria |
| Stopover | Bassel Al-Assad International Airport, Latakia, Syria |
| Destination | Abu Dhabi International Airport, United Arab Emirates |
| Occupants | 151 |
| Passengers | 143 |
| Crew | 8 |
| Fatalities | 0 |
| Injuries | 0 |
| Survivors | 151 |
| Second aircraft | |
| Type | Mi Mil-17 |
| Operator | Syrian Armed Forces |
| Fatalities | 3 |
| Survivors | 0 |
Aircraft and crew
[edit]The aircraft involved was an Airbus A320, registration YK‑AKF.[4] The crew successfully managed to fly back to Damascus despite the loss of the vertical stabilizer, and there were no injuries reported among passengers or crew.
Incident
[edit]Shortly after take-off on 20 September 2012, while climbing through FL120 near Damascus, the A320 was struck in the tail by a Syrian military helicopter, reportedly during unauthorized entry into civilian flight paths. The collision removed much of the stabilizer and rudder of the Airbus.[5][6]
The military helicopter crashed, and its crew were killed. The A320 returned safely, with passengers transferred to a replacement aircraft before the flight resumed to Latakia and later Abu Dhabi.[7]
Aftermath
[edit]The airliner underwent major repairs and was returned to service, continuing operations through at least 2020.[8]
The Syrian Civil Aviation Authority reportedly investigated the incident, but no public report was released. The event raised concerns over military-civil airspace coordination in the region.
See also
[edit]- Syrian Arab Airlines
- List of aviation accidents and incidents in Syria
- Accidents and incidents involving the Airbus A320 family
References
[edit]- ^ "Syrian Arab A320 near Damascus on Sep 20 2012, mid‑air collision with helicopter". The Aviation Herald. 16 June 2025. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
- ^ "Syrian military helicopter reported down near Damascus". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 20 September 2012. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
- ^ "Syrian airliner in midair collision with military helicopter". NYC Aviation. 20 September 2012. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
- ^ "Ten years since Syrian Arab Airlines 501". Airliners.net. ~2015. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Syrian Arab A320 near Damascus…collision with helicopter". The Aviation Herald. 16 June 2025. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
- ^ "Syrian military helicopter reported down near Damascus". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 20 September 2012. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
- ^ "Syrian airliner in midair collision …". NYC Aviation. 20 September 2012. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
- ^ "Ten years since Syrian Arab Airlines 501". Airliners.net. ~2015. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)