Accident Sequence
Approximately six minutes after departure from Karaganda Airport, the flight crew reported to air traffic control that the left engine had failed. ATC granted permission for the aircraft to return to the airport. The pilot in command initiated a circuit and began a descent. During the final approach, while executing a left turn at an altitude of 60 meters, the aircraft stalled and subsequently crashed in a field short of the runway threshold. The impact resulted in a large explosion. The aircraft was destroyed by the forces of the crash, and all 25 occupants on board were killed.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation was unable to determine the precise cause of the left engine failure. However, it was revealed that the flight crew had encountered technical problems with the same engine on the day prior to the accident. The crew did not report these issues to ground maintenance personnel. The probable cause, as stated in the investigation report, notes that while the exact failure mechanism could not be established, the unreported prior problems may have been relevant. No other causal factors were identified.