14 fatalities

Midair Collision Between Single-Engine Airplane and Antonov An-2 Near Tavda Kills 29 (CCCP-44992)

Tavda, RussiaFlight

On May 7, 1977, a PZL-Mielec AN-2 (registration CCCP-44992) operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Tavda, Russia in flight. 14 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The in-flight collision was the consequence of a lack of ATC assistance and the fact that both crew were flying under VFR mode in adverse weather conditions. 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)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

A single-engine airplane collided with an Antonov An-2 near Tavda, Russia, killing all 29 occupants on both aircraft. Official findings cite lack of ATC assistance and VFR flight in adverse weather.

Background

A single-engine airplane operating flight SU801CH departed Tavda Airport for Tyumen with 12 passengers and two pilots on board, totaling 14 occupants. Concurrently, an Aeroflot Antonov An-2 registered CCCP-15925 was completing a service from Tyumen to Tavda with 15 people on board.

Collision

After takeoff, the single-engine airplane's crew was cleared to climb to an altitude of 150 meters and continued south. Minutes later, while cruising in marginal weather conditions with rain, limited visibility of 2 km, and low clouds, at an estimated altitude of 175 meters, the airplane collided with the Antonov An-2.

Aftermath

Following the collision, both aircraft went out of control, entered a dive, and crashed in flames in an open field located 18 km south of Tavda. The wreckages were found 392 meters apart. All 29 occupants on both aircraft were killed.

Probable Cause

The official investigation determined that the in-flight collision was the consequence of a lack of ATC assistance and the fact that both crew were flying under VFR mode in adverse weather conditions.