Cameroonian operator Camair-Co has disclosed that one of its AVIC Aircraft MA60 turboprops was shot at during its approach to Bafut’s Bamenda airport.
Cameroonian operator Camair-Co has disclosed that one of its AVIC Aircraft MA60 turboprops was shot at during its approach to Bafut’s Bamenda airport.
It has identified the aircraft as TJ-QDB and says it was “fired upon”, and received damage to its fuselage, at around 10:40 on 1 December.
The aircraft had been operating flight QC272 from Douala, says Camair-Co.
Bamenda airport, which has a single runway, is located about 300km north-west of Cameroon’s capital Yaounde.
“No loss of human life was recorded and, thanks to the courage of the captain, the aircraft was able to land smoothly despite the impact on the fuselage,” says the carrier.
The MA60 was subsequently grounded while technical assessment of the airframe was conducted.
“As a result of this situation, Camair-Co’s flight programme has been rescheduled to limit any disruption,” the airline adds.
The aircraft involved was delivered to the carrier in 2015, as TJX-SE, before being re-registered, according to Cirium fleets data.
No NOTAM information has been published by the operator of Bamenda airport, and the carrier has not identified the source of the attack.
But the airport is located in the secessionist Ambazonia region of Cameroon which has been involved in an armed conflict with the Cameroonian government over the past two years.
