Here is why the alleged video of a Syrian regime helicopter downed by rebels doesn't show a shot down gunship

The following video, allegedly showing a Syrian Mil Mi-8 helicopter shot down by the rebels, was published by several media outlets all around the world as the first kill achieved by the Free Syria Army (FSyA).

However, I’m not sure it actually shows a chopper hit by the anti-aircraft fire.

First of all, the flight path is absolutely unusual. The helicopter performs a steep and fast dive before being hit by anything. Moreover, the fire that can be seen it’s that of the aircraft rocket launchers.

Finally, you can’t see the Hip crashing into the ground nor any wreckage was showed.

Therefore, I believe the video was filmed with a mobile phone oriented vertically, not horizontally.

About David Cenciotti
David Cenciotti is a journalist based in Rome, Italy. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviationist”, one of the world’s most famous and read military aviation blogs. Since 1996, he has written for major worldwide magazines, including Air Forces Monthly, Combat Aircraft, and many others, covering aviation, defense, war, industry, intelligence, crime and cyberwar. He has reported from the U.S., Europe, Australia and Syria, and flown several combat planes with different air forces. He is a former 2nd Lt. of the Italian Air Force, a private pilot and a graduate in Computer Engineering. He has written five books and contributed to many more ones.