Incident Overview
On an unspecified date, a Mil Mi-8 helicopter (registration RA-24247) had just landed at Naryan-Mar Airport after completing a local flight. The helicopter carried eight passengers and three crew members. After landing, the helicopter crew was instructed to vacate the runway via taxiway 4.
Approximately two minutes later, an Antonov AN-12 cargo aircraft was cleared to land on the same runway. Following touchdown, the Antonov collided with the stationary helicopter. The collision resulted in the destruction of both aircraft. Among the 11 occupants on the helicopter, eight were killed and three were injured. All nine occupants on the Antonov sustained injuries.
Visibility and Air Traffic Control
At the time of the accident, visibility was reduced to 500 metres. The airport of Naryan-Mar is controlled by both civil and military air traffic services. The helicopter had been cleared to land by civil ATC. Less than two minutes later, military ATC cleared the Antonov to land on the same runway.
Official Findings
Investigators identified a lack of coordination between the civil and military ATC services as the separation between the two landings was insufficient. Furthermore, the Antonov crew failed to follow an ATC message instructing them to initiate a go-around procedure. The crew misinterpreted this order, believing the controller was referring to the reduced visibility rather than the presence of another aircraft on the runway.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause states: "The airport of Naryan-Mar is controlled by both civil and military services. The helicopter has been cleared to land by civil ATC and less than two minutes later, the aircraft was cleared by military ATC to land on the same runway. A lack of coordination between both ATC services was identified as the separation between both landings was insufficient. Nevertheless, it was also reported that the crew of the Antonov failed to follow ATC message after the controller in the tower instructed the crew to initiate a go-around procedure. The crew misinterpreted this order thinking ATC was referring to the lack of visibility and not to the presence of another aircraft on the runway."