What happened
During a nighttime training exercise, a formation consisting of nine Antonov AN-32 aircraft, operated by the Indian Air Force, departed from Chandigarh Airport. While the formation was in the cruise phase of flight, the third aircraft in the sequence attempted to adjust its position within the group. During this maneuver, the pilot misidentified the lead aircraft as the second plane in the formation.
This error led to a mid-air collision between the aircraft registered K2669 and another Antonov AN-32, registered K3055, which was flying to the right of the third plane. Following the impact, both aircraft lost control and entered an uncontrolled descent. The planes crashed into a wheatfield situated near Boothgarh. The impact resulted in the total destruction of both airframes and eight fatalities, accounting for all crew members on board both aircraft.
Findings
- The collision was triggered by a positioning error during formation flying.
- The pilot of the third aircraft in the formation misidentified the aircraft's relative position during the night flight.