What happened
During a local training flight at Irkutsk-Intl Airport, an AN-12 was performing its ninth approach to runway 30. As part of the established training protocol, the crew received clearance to execute a go-around maneuver. At an altitude of approximately 270 meters, and amidst conditions of restricted visibility, the aircraft struck an AN-2R, registration CCCP-49342.
The AN-2R, operated by Aeroflot, had recently departed from the same runway and was traveling toward Kazachinskoye. On board the smaller aircraft were two pilots and 11 passengers. The impact caused the AN-2R to lose control, leading to a crash into flames roughly 200 meters from the point of collision. All 13 fatalities occurred on this aircraft.
The crew of the AN-12 attempted an emergency landing following the incident. The aircraft came down in a prairie area located 3,980 meters beyond the runway threshold. During the subsequent ground slide, which lasted 220 meters, the plane struck a concrete mast that caused the fuselage to break into two sections. All seven crew members on the AN-12 survived the accident without injury.
Findings
Official investigations concluded that the primary cause of the collision was improper decision-making and inadequate planning by air traffic controllers stationed at the Irkutsk-Magan tower. Additionally, the reduced visibility during the flight was identified as a contributing factor to the accident.