Remains believed to be pilots found 47 years after plane crash

The remains are believed to be pilot Yuri Poyarkov of the former Soviet Union and Vietnamese pilot Cong Phuong Thao who went missing on April 30, 1971 while performing a joint training flight over an area in the northern mountainous provinces of Thai Nguyen and Vinh Phuc.

Some of their belongings such as gloves and parts of clothes were also discovered on the day, said the steering committee for study, verification, search and repatriation of remains of the Soviet and Vietnamese pilots. 

Initial investigation showed that their aircraft crashed into the mountainside, leaving a 3-metre-deep and 5-6 metre-wide hole.

Their remains were taken to the headquarters of the Military Command of Thai Nguyen province. 

Competent agencies of the Defence Ministry and the Thai Nguyen province’s Military Command are continuing with the investigation.