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2003 Baghdad DHL attempted shootdown incident

From Alfawiki
European Air Transport (Belgian branch)
IndustryCargo airline
Headquarters
Belgium
ProductsCargo air transport
ParentDHL Aviation

On 22 November 2003, shortly after departing from Baghdad, Iraq, an Airbus A300B2-200F cargo plane, bearing the registration OO-DLL and operated by the Belgian branch of European Air Transport (DHL Aviation), was hit on its left wing by a surface-to-air missile during a routine flight bound for Muharraq, Bahrain. The missile impact inflicted extensive damage to the wing and ignited a fire, leading to a complete failure of the hydraulic flight control systems. At takeoff, the outboard left wing fuel tank was full, which prevented a fuel-air vapor explosion; however, jet fuel leaked as the tank was destroyed and an adjacent inboard tank was punctured and leaking.

Despite suffering critical wing damage, total hydraulic system loss, an approach speed exceeding safe limits, and veering off the runway onto unprepared ground, the three-person crew successfully returned and landed the aircraft by relying solely on differential thrust from the engines for control.

Paris Match journalist Claudine Vernier-Palliez traveled with a disbanded Fedayeen faction on their mission targeting the EAT aircraft.

Sara Daniel, a French reporter, was given footage from an anonymous source depicting Iraqi insurgents affiliated with the Islamic Army in Iraq launching a missile at the A300. While investigating Iraqi resistance factions, Daniel stated she did not have specific knowledge of those responsible for the attack despite being present at the incident.

Aircraft and crew

The airplane involved was a 24-year-old Airbus A300B4-203F. The seasoned crew consisted of three individuals: two Belgians—Captain Éric Gennotte, age 38, with 3,300 flight hours (more than half in the A300), and First Officer Steeve Michielsen, age 29, holding 1,275 hours—and Mario Rofail, a 54-year-old Scottish flight engineer with 13,400 flight hours.[1]

Missile impact

The flight departed Baghdad International Airport at 06:30 UTC en route to Bahrain International Airport. To reduce vulnerability to ground attacks, it climbed swiftly after takeoff. At roughly 8,000 feet altitude, a 9K34 Strela-3 (SA-14 Gremlin) surface-to-air missile struck near the rear section of the left wing between the engine and wingtip. The explosion damaged trailing-edge surfaces of the wing and ignited a fire. All three hydraulic systems lost pressure immediately, rendering flight controls inoperative. The aircraft began severe phugoid oscillations characterized by rapid pitching motions.[2]

Mirroring control techniques used during the 1989 United Airlines Flight 232 accident, Captain Gennotte managed pitch, speed, and altitude through engine thrust modulation while controlling yaw and turns using asymmetric throttle adjustments. Flight engineer Rofail manually extended the landing gear via gravity drop—normally hydraulically actuated—to increase drag and reduce airspeed for better stability.[2]

Over approximately ten minutes, the crew mastered controlling climbs, descents, and turns solely through thrust management. After flying an erratic path, they executed a right turn and initiated descent back toward Baghdad International Airport.[2]

Emergency landing and final approach

Due to damage sustained by the left wing and ongoing fuel leakage, Rofail vigilantly monitored engine output and switched fuel supply to tanks on the right side as necessary to maintain consistent thrust. Precise throttle adjustments were vital for maintaining control.

Captain Gennotte and First Officer Michielsen prepared for final approach toward runway 33R; however, drift to the right prompted Gennotte to opt for the shorter runway 33L instead. Visibility conditions were favorable as they conducted a controlled descent while aware that reducing engine power prematurely could cause damage to either the nose or damaged wing.

At approximately above ground level, turbulence caused a dip in the right wing. The crew counteracted this by adjusting thrust to stabilize roll; nevertheless, touchdown occurred off-center on the runway. Immediately upon landing, Rofail engaged full reverse thrust but despite this effort, the aircraft veered off onto uneven terrain and came to rest after covering about .

Awards and aftermath

The Honourable Company of Air Pilots bestowed the Hugh Gordon-Burge Memorial Award upon all three crew members, acknowledging their exceptional efforts in preserving their aircraft and advancing aviation safety. This prestigious accolade is awarded annually solely for acts of notable distinction.

The Flight Safety Foundation recognized the crew with the FSF Professionalism Award in Flight Safety, commending their "remarkable piloting expertise" demonstrated during the successful landing following a missile strike shortly after departing Baghdad.

Although the aircraft endured extensive damage to its wing and landing gear, both engines also experienced significant foreign object damage. Repairs were completed by November 2004, after which the aircraft was re-registered as N1452 and put up for sale; however, it remained unsold, and its registration lapsed in 2017.

In popular culture

This event was depicted in the 2005 episode titled "Attack over Baghdad" from the Canadian television series Mayday, which is known under the titles Air Emergency and Air Disasters in the United States and as Air Crash Investigation internationally.

See also

Further reading

  • Aviation Week and Space Technology, 8 December 2003

External links

  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named :0
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Mayday
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