The Desperate Plunge: Afghanistan's Airborne Exodus

On 16 August 2021, a US Air Force cargo plane took off from Kabul airport, Afghanistan, with hundreds of desperate Afghan civilians clinging to it. At least two people fell to their deaths from the aircraft, with human remains later found in the plane's wheel well. It remains unclear exactly how many people died in the incident.

Human remains were found in the wheel well of the plane after it landed in Qatar

On August 16, 2021, a US Air Force C-17 cargo plane landed at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, to deliver equipment to support the evacuation of Afghan and American civilians. However, before the crew could unload the cargo, the aircraft was surrounded by hundreds of Afghan civilians who had breached the airport perimeter. The crew decided to depart as quickly as possible due to the rapidly deteriorating security situation.

During the takeoff, several people were seen falling from the aircraft. Videos of the incident circulated on social media, showing the chaotic and tragic scenes at the airport. It is unclear how many people died, but human remains were found in the wheel well of the plane after it landed at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. The Air Force did not specify how many people's remains were found, but they launched an investigation into the incident, impounding the plane to collect the remains and conduct an inspection.

The discovery of human remains in the wheel well, along with videos of people falling from the plane, fueled criticism of the chaotic evacuation efforts. The Air Force Office of Special Investigations reviewed the incident in coordination with the Air Force's Air Mobility Command and international partners. The investigation aimed to understand how the incident occurred and prevent similar tragedies in the future.

The crew of the aircraft was cleared of any wrongdoing by the Air Force, which found that they had exercised sound judgment in their decision to depart as quickly as possible amid the deteriorating security situation. The incident highlighted the difficult and split-second decisions faced by American pilots and troops during the panic at the airport following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.

Two bodies landed on the same rooftop at the same time

On 16 August 2021, a US Air Force C-17 cargo plane took off from Kabul airport in Afghanistan. Hundreds of Afghan civilians, desperate to leave the country, had swarmed the aircraft as it attempted to take off. Videos of the incident show people falling from the plane as it ascends. While the videos show two dots falling from the plane, two bodies landed on the same rooftop at the same time, suggesting that they fell together.

Abdullah Waiz was asleep in his home when he was awakened by a loud noise. His neighbours told him about the bodies that had fallen from the sky. Two bodies had landed on the same corner of his roof. He believes that they were holding hands as they fell in the same location. He collected the remains and took them to a nearby mosque. The bodies were identified as Fida Mohammad, a 24-year-old dentist, and Safiullah Hotak.

The US military has not disclosed how many people died in the incident, but human remains were found in the plane's wheel well after it landed in Qatar. The full extent of the tragedy is not yet known, but the incident has come to symbolise the chaotic end to America's 20-year war in Afghanistan.

The US military has not completed its investigation into the incident

On August 16, 2021, a US Air Force C-17 cargo plane took off from Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, with people clinging to its exterior. The aircraft was mobbed by hundreds of Afghan civilians who had breached the airport perimeter. Fearing that the plane would be overwhelmed, the crew decided to take off without unloading the cargo.

Horrifying videos of the incident show Afghans running alongside the plane as it taxis along the runway and taking off, with people hanging onto its sides and wheel wells. Several people can be seen falling from the aircraft mid-air, plummeting to their deaths. The remains of some individuals were later found in the wheel well of the plane after it landed in Qatar, indicating that they had been crushed by the landing gear or had fallen from the aircraft during takeoff.

The US military has acknowledged the tragic incident and stated that an investigation is underway to understand how it occurred. The Air Force Office of Special Investigations is reviewing all available information, including viral videos, to determine the circumstances that led to the loss of civilian lives. However, as of now, the investigation has not been completed, and the full details of what happened during the chaotic evacuation attempt remain unclear.

The incident has brought to light the desperation of Afghans trying to flee the country following the Taliban's takeover. It has also raised questions about the decision-making of the US military personnel involved and the potential impact on their mental health. The US Air Force offered psychological counseling to those affected by the traumatic events.

While the investigation is ongoing, the incident underscores the challenging and unpredictable nature of the evacuation efforts in Afghanistan and the difficult decisions faced by those on the ground.

The crew of the plane was cleared of any wrongdoing

On August 16, 2021, a C-17 cargo plane took off from Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, with people hanging onto its wings. The aircraft was surrounded by hundreds of Afghan civilians who had breached the airport perimeter, and the crew decided to take off without unloading its cargo or passengers. At least one person was seen falling to their death from the plane as it took off, and human remains were later found in the wheel well of the plane.

The Air Force has since cleared the crew of any wrongdoing, stating that they "acted appropriately and exercised sound judgment in their decision to get airborne as quickly as possible when faced with an unprecedented and rapidly deteriorating security situation." The Air Force's Air Mobility Command and United States Central Command conducted reviews of the incident and concluded that the aircrew was "in compliance with applicable rules of engagement."

The crew of the C-17 aircraft was faced with a challenging and unprecedented situation. They had to make a split-second decision to take off as quickly as possible to ensure their safety and the safety of the aircraft. The crew could not have known that civilians were in the wheel well, and they were likely unable to see or hear the people clinging to the undercarriage. Additionally, the crew may have feared that remaining on the ground would have resulted in the aircraft being overwhelmed and possibly hijacked.

While the crew has been cleared of wrongdoing, the incident has left many traumatized. Members of the aircrew sought consultations with mental health professionals and chaplains following the event. The families of those who died are also struggling to come to terms with their loss. The father of one of the victims, Fida Mohammad, expressed his grief and anger, questioning the humanity of the pilots and feeling that his son had been dehumanized.

The chaotic and tragic scenes at the Kabul airport have become a symbol of the disorderly withdrawal of U.S. and allied forces from Afghanistan and the failure of the West in the country. The evacuation efforts were marked by panic, desperation, and difficult on-the-spot decisions. The Air Force has offered psychological counseling to personnel involved in the evacuation and those who witnessed or were affected by the incident.

The incident symbolises the chaotic end to America's 20-year war in Afghanistan

The US war in Afghanistan, which lasted 20 years, came to a chaotic end. In August 2021, the Taliban swiftly captured Kabul, seized control over the country, and took over the presidential palace. This prompted a flood of Afghans to try to escape the country.

On 16 August 2021, a US Air Force cargo plane took off from Kabul airport, chased by hundreds of desperate Afghans trying to get on the aircraft. As the plane gained altitude, two people were seen falling from it. Human remains were later found in the plane's wheel well. It remains unclear how many people died in this incident.

The chaotic scenes at the Kabul airport symbolised the tragic and disorderly end to America's 20-year war in Afghanistan. The war, which began in 2001 after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, resulted in billions of dollars spent and thousands of lives lost. The US withdrawal from Afghanistan faced criticism for its poor execution and the resulting humanitarian crisis.

The fall of Kabul and the Taliban's return to power highlighted the failures of US efforts to stabilise Afghanistan. Issues such as corruption, human rights abuses, and a lack of consistent strategy over multiple administrations contributed to the war's outcome.

The end of the war in Afghanistan marked a shift in US foreign policy, with President Biden emphasising a focus on counterterrorism and addressing new global threats. The US pledged to continue supporting the Afghan people through diplomacy and humanitarian aid.

Frequently asked questions