Incident Overview
After delivering a third cargo load of tank spare parts and ammunition to Iran, a CL-44 aircraft was returning from Tehran to Cyprus. The flight had previously completed two round trips between Tel Aviv and Tehran via Larnaca, Cyprus. On the third return leg, while heading 300° toward the Turkish border, the crew was instructed to turn left to heading 240° direct to Cyprus. For unknown reasons, the aircraft deviated northwards and crossed into Azerbaijan without clearance.
Interception and Collision
A Soviet Sukhoi Su-15 fighter was dispatched to intercept the CL-44. According to Soviet accounts, the cargo plane's crew failed to respond to radio calls and visual signals from the fighter pilot, who flew close to the CL-44's nose. While probably making a procedure turn to the left, the cargo aircraft attempted to evade. In unclear circumstances, the two aircraft collided. Both went out of control and entered a dive, crashing approximately 50 km from Yerevan.
Casualties and Outcome
All four crew members aboard the CL-44 were killed. The fighter pilot was able to eject and was found alive. It remains unclear whether the collision was intentional. The Soviet pilot claimed he deliberately attempted to down the enemy aircraft, while Western aviation experts examining his account believed he misjudged a turn and subsequently fabricated a story of self-sacrifice.