What happened
During a cargo operation transporting luggage for a Chinese athletics delegation from Sofia to Kiev, an aviation accident occurred during the approach phase to Kiev-Zuliany Airport. While maneuvering at an altitude between 250 and 300 meters, the aircraft collided with an Aeroflot Ilyushin II-14D, registration CCCP-L1360, which was conducting a local training mission with four crew members on board.
Evidence from the investigation showed that the two planes were flying toward one another. The propeller of the right engine on the cargo aircraft struck the right wing of the Ilyushin II-14D. This impact caused the Ilyushin II-14D to lose its right wing and plummet into the ground. Simultaneously, the cargo aircraft lost its right propeller, which pierced the cockpit area, resulting in the instant death of both pilots. The damaged cargo plane then went out of control and crashed.
The wreckage of both aircraft impacted several residential buildings located approximately 4.5 km from the airport. The accident resulted in a total of 9 fatalities among the flight crews and 6 fatalities on the ground. Additionally, 23 people sustained injuries, with 12 of those classified as serious.
Findings
The investigation concluded that the primary reason for the collision was inadequate radar coverage and lack of air traffic control guidance at Kiev-Zhuliany Airport. Specifically, the crew of the cargo flight had not been notified by ATC regarding the presence of the second aircraft performing training maneuvers at a similar altitude in the same vicinity.