What happened
During a scheduled cargo operation, the flight crew encountered a significant sandstorm that disrupted their navigation. This environmental condition led to the aircraft becoming lost while in flight. As the mission continued under these difficult conditions, the aircraft's engines ceased functioning because the fuel supply was completely depleted.
Following the loss of power, the crew initiated an emergency landing procedure to secure the aircraft. Although the impact resulted in the aircraft being damaged beyond repair, there were no fatalities or injuries reported among the crew during the incident.
Findings
- The primary factor leading to the loss of propulsion was fuel exhaustion.
- Reduced visibility and navigational difficulties were caused by an encounter with a sandstorm.