ATR72-600 airliner hit by FPV drones in Myanmar

According to media reports of the incident, around 8.12pm local time, Myitkyina Airport was targeted by several drones. Several of them may have been intercepted, but at least two drones hit the turboprop. The drones were reportedly equipped with RPG-type warheads. 

Although no casualties have been reported from this incident, footage has been posted on social media channels showing serious damage to aircraft. Damage appears to be located in the frontal area of the aircraft, next to the cockpit, as well as in the rear parts of the fuselage, with a section located right underneath the tail of the aircraft appearing to have been pierced. 

The attack has attributed to the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIA), which is one of the multiple armed groups fighting Myanmar’s central government in the country’s ongoing civil war. A spokesman for the KIA reportedly denied the organization’s involvement in the attack. 

At the time of the attack, the aircraft was being boarded by passengers ahead of its departure for Mandalay International Airport (MDL). 

State-owned Myanmar National Airlines (MNA) operates a fleet of eight ATR72-600 aircraft as well as two leased B737-800s, mostly on domestic routes within Myanmar.

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