The Lisunov Li-2 aircraft with tail number CCCP-Л4181, belonging to the Turkmen Territorial Administration of the Civil Air Fleet, was operating a cargo-passenger flight from Ashgabat.

However, due to the challenging weather conditions in the airport area and the high number of aircraft in the landing queue, Л4181 was forced to circle in a holding pattern for about two hours.

While performing a standard turn at low altitude, the Li-2 lost speed and crashed near the 34th kilometer of the Moscow-Minsk highway near the village of Yamishevo.

The Douglas C-47B aircraft with tail number CCCP-Л946 (former USAAF 43-48756) from the 10th Guards Aviation Transport Division of the Civil Air Fleet was operating an international passenger flight from Berlin (Schönefeld) to Moscow with an intermediate stop in Riga (Spilve Airport).

The aircraft sharply raised its nose, resulting in a rapid loss of forward speed, causing it to stall and crash 600–700 meters from the landing marker.

The Lisunov Li-2 aircraft with tail number CCCP-Л4207, from the Lithuanian Separate Aviation Group of the Civil Air Fleet, was operating a passenger flight from Vilnius Airport.

The crew consisted of Commander Boltenko V. F., co-pilot Dzhonzhua L. K., flight engineer Dannik I. P., and radio operator Brykov V. I.

However, the automatic radio compass of this Li-2 was not functioning properly, so the approach was conducted under the supervision of an air traffic controller monitoring the aircraft on a radar.