What happened
During a positioning leg from Ashgabat to Chardzhou (now Türkmenabat), part of a longer route to Alma Ata for overhaul, the ARM-405 experienced a failure of its right engine near Repetek. The crew proceeded with an approach to land at Chardzhou. However, the pilot initiated a go-around because direct sunlight made it impossible to identify the landing threshold marker (the 'T').
While executing a left turn to climb out, the aircraft lost both altitude and airspeed. The pilot was unable to recover from this deteriorating situation. Consequently, the aircraft collided with an irrigation canal and trees located 4 km from the airfield. Upon impact, the landing gear, flaps, and ailerons were sheared off, and both outer engines broke away. Despite the severe structural damage, the plane managed to crash land, and all seven occupants emerged unhurt.
Findings
The official investigation attributed the accident to errors in handling the approach configuration by the pilot in command. Inadequate decision-making during the critical phase of flight led to the loss of height and the subsequent collision with terrain.