Incident Overview
On a cargo flight from Yaroslavl Airport to Pechora with several en route stops, a single-engine PZL-Mielec AN-2 departed at 1032LT. After passing over Vologda without landing, while at an altitude of 125 meters, it collided with another AN-2 registered CCCP-40563. The second aircraft had just departed from Vologda on a flight to Babushkina, carrying six passengers and a crew of two.
Aftermath
Following the collision, the first AN-2 went out of control and crashed in a field. Both pilots on board were killed. The crew of the second aircraft was able to perform an emergency landing, and all eight occupants escaped uninjured.
Probable Cause
According to the official investigation, the probable cause was the failure of the crew to adhere to navigation and communication procedures with ATC. It was also determined that the total weight of the aircraft was 150 kilograms above the maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) from Yaroslavl Airport. This was considered a contributing factor, as it reduced the aircraft's speed, causing it to arrive too late over Vologda in relation to the estimated time of arrival.