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14 fatalities

Midair Collision Between Antonov AN-2 and Mil Mi-8T at Surgut Airport (CCCP-70766)

Surgut, RussiaLanding (descent or approach)

On November 1, 1974, a PZL-Mielec AN-2 (registration CCCP-70766) operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Surgut, Russia during landing or approach. 14 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The collision resulted from incorrect decisions by air traffic control at Surgut Airport, which cleared the Antonov AN-2 crew to continue their descent without knowing the aircraft's actual position. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

An Antonov AN-2 and a Mil Mi-8T (CCCP-25686) collided near Surgut Airport in marginal weather. Both aircraft crashed in a wooded area, killing all 38 occupants.

Incident Overview and Aircraft Involved During an approach to runway 25 at Surgut Airport, an Antonov AN-2 encountered marginal weather conditions characterized by low clouds at 130 meters above the ground and limited visibility. While descending at an altitude of 150 meters, the single-engine aircraft collided with a Mil Mi-8T helicopter. The helicopter, registered as CCCP-25686, had recently taken off from Surgut Airport and was en route to Nefteyugansk. It was carrying 21 passengers and three crew members. The Antonov AN-2 had completed an uneventful flight from Khanty-Mansiysk prior to the incident. Following the midair collision, both aircraft crashed in a wooded area, with the wreckage sites located 600 meters apart. Both machines were destroyed, and all 38 occupants on board the two aircraft perished in the accident.

Probable cause

The collision resulted from incorrect decisions by air traffic control at Surgut Airport, which cleared the Antonov AN-2 crew to continue their descent without knowing the aircraft's actual position. ATC failed to coordinate the movements of both aircraft, did not inform either crew about the presence of the other in the traffic pattern, and authorized the helicopter's takeoff without knowing the exact position of the Antonov. Low clouds and limited visibility were contributing factors, as was the Antonov AN-2 crew's decision to continue the descent below weather minima.
Midair collision

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1 Nov 1974 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident near Surgut, Russia?

An Antonov AN-2 and a Mil Mi-8T (CCCP-25686) collided near Surgut Airport in marginal weather. Both aircraft crashed in a wooded area, killing all 38 occupants.

Were there any fatalities in the 1 Nov 1974 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 14 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1 Nov 1974 involved a PZL-Mielec AN-2, registration CCCP-70766, operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines, at Surgut, Russia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The collision resulted from incorrect decisions by air traffic control at Surgut Airport, which cleared the Antonov AN-2 crew to continue their descent without knowing the aircraft's actual position. ATC failed to coordinate the movements of both aircraft, did not inform either crew about the presence of the other in…

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