Incident
Shortly after departing from Elista Airport, while climbing through an altitude of 2,000 metres, the flight crew alerted air traffic control that a fire had broken out in the cargo compartment. Controllers cleared the aircraft to return for an emergency landing. During the descent, the crew managed to extinguish the blaze, but the fire had already severed several hydraulic lines. This damage prevented the pilots from lowering the landing gear. Additionally, the flaps could only be deployed to a 10-degree angle.
Emergency Response
With limited configuration options, the crew executed a belly landing on the runway. The aircraft contacted the ground without its undercarriage and slid for several dozen metres before coming to a stop. Emergency services were standing by as a precaution.
Outcome
All 24 occupants aboard evacuated without injury. The aircraft sustained structural damage during the slide and was assessed as damaged beyond repair.