What happened
During a nighttime training maneuver over the Pskov oblast, two aircraft collided in mid-air. The mission involved an AN-12PPS departing from Šiauliai, which was being simulated as a target by a Sukhoi SU-15 operating out of the Khotilovo Airbase in the Tver region. While weather conditions were favorable, visibility was significantly reduced by the darkness.
As the exercise progressed, communication between the flight crews was hampered by radio frequency interference. Upon completing his assigned mission parameters, the pilot of the SU-15 attempted a final turn, during which the fighter jet struck the AN-12PPS. The impact caused both aircraft to descend rapidly into a field, where they crashed. The accident resulted in nine fatalities, as there were no survivors among the occupants of either aircraft.
Findings
Investigations into the collision suggest that the pilot of the fighter jet was likely unaware that the first AN-12PPS was operating within the same airspace. This lack of situational awareness may have stemmed from inadequate mission preparation or a failure in coordination among the participating crews. Additionally, it is believed that significant radio interference may have prevented effective communication during the exercise.