Synopsis

On November 22nd, 2003, a DHL Airbus A300, en route from Baghdad International Airport, began its ascent when the left wing suffered an explosion. The resulting loss of hydraulic fluid rendered the flight control surfaces unresponsive. The crew, improvising, managed to pilot the aircraft using engine thrust for control, ultimately making a safe landing sixteen minutes later. The incident followed the launch of a surface-to-air missile targeting the aircraft.