Incident Overview
Description
The SIGINT C-130, based at Rhein-Main Air Base Germany, departed Incirlik on a reconnaissance mission along the Turkish-Armenian border. It was to fly from Adana to Trabzon, turn right and fly to Van. From Van, the pilot was to reverse course and orbit between Van and Trabzon. This course would parallel the Soviet frontier, but the aircraft was not to approach the border closer than 100 miles. The aircraft’s crew reported passing over Trabzon at an altitude of 25,500 feet. What happened next is unclear. The C-130 crew may have become disoriented by Soviet navigational beacons which were on frequencies similar to those at Trabzon and Van–one signal in Georgia was stronger than that in Trabzon. The airplane strayed off course and entered Soviet airspace over Armenia. Soviet Air Force MiG-17 fighter planes intercepted the Hercules. The Hercules was shot down 50 km northwest of Yerevan.
Primary Cause
Soviet navigational beacons with frequencies similar to those at Trabzon and Van, including a stronger signal from Georgia, likely disoriented the pilot and caused the aircraft to deviate from its planned route.Soviet navigational beacons with frequencies similar to those at Trabzon and Van, including a stronger signal from Georgia, likely disoriented the pilot and caused the aircraft to deviate from its planned route.Share on:
