US military plane hit by missile on takeoff from Baghdad

WASHINGTON (AFP) Dec 10, 2003
A US Air Force C-17 transport aircraft was hit by a missile Wednesday as it took off from Baghdad, but it landed safely, a US defense official said, adding that no one was hurt.

"They believe it was hit by a surface-to-air missile based on witness reports," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The C-17, which was taking off from the Baghdad airport when it was struck, the official said.

It was believed to be only the second time a plane has been hit by a surface to air missile since the end of major combat operations in Iraq May 2.

The official said the incident was similar to the first on November 22 when a DHL cargo plane was hit by a shoulder fired SA-14 surface-to-air missile as it was taking off from the Baghdad airport.

DHL resumed flights into Iraq December 3.

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