Belgian Military Aircraft Shot During Mission in Haiti

A Belgian military transport aircraft was fired upon during a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Haiti, officials confirmed. The Airbus A400M, operated by Belgium’s 15th Wing Air Transport, had just dropped off approximately 80 Chadian troops near Port-au-Prince when it came under fire. The aircraft sustained two bullet impacts—one to the tail section and another to an engine—but landed safely in the Dominican Republic without any injuries reported among the crew or passengers. The incident occurred on Sunday, April 20, 2026, during a flight from Santo Domingo to Port-au-Prince. The Chadian soldiers were being deployed as part of a UN effort to strengthen international presence in Haiti amid escalating gang violence and clashes between armed groups and security forces. After unloading the troops, the aircraft began its return journey to Santo Domingo. It was only after landing that the crew discovered the damage, noting that all flight parameters had appeared normal during the mission and no anomalies were detected in real time. Belgian defense officials believe the aircraft was likely shot at just before landing in Port-au-Prince. In anticipation of heightened risks, ground time in Haiti had been minimized as a precaution. As a further safety measure, a second scheduled flight to Haiti was canceled. Following temporary repairs, the A400M returned to its home base in Melsbroek, Belgium. Haiti continues to face widespread instability, with violent gangs controlling large areas of the country and frequent confrontations occurring between criminal groups and security personnel, sometimes involving foreign military support. The attack on the Belgian aircraft underscores the persistent dangers faced by international personnel operating in the region, even during routine logistical missions. The Belgian military has not disclosed further details about the source of the gunfire and investigations into the incident are ongoing.