What happened
Following a diversion to Yevlakh Airport, the twin engine aircraft departed at 10:08 local time. Shortly after the takeoff, weather conditions worsened significantly as a cloud layer descended to an altitude of 500 meters. Although the crew had received instructions to stay above a minimum altitude of 1,100 meters, the aircraft descended to 700 meters during these marginal flying conditions.
Approximately fourteen minutes after leaving Yevlakh Airport, the plane collided with a mountain slope measuring 821 meters in height. The impact occurred roughly 2 km northwest of the village of Shirinbulak. The collision and subsequent fire resulted in the total destruction of the airframe and caused 23 fatalities.
Findings
Investigations revealed that the aircraft was approximately five kilometers to the right of its intended course at the moment of impact. This deviation was attributed to a navigation error by the crew, who attempted to continue the flight under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) despite being in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC).