What happened
During an ascent following departure from Darvaza Airport, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of control. While operating in favorable weather conditions, the plane entered a left bank of approximately 30 degrees and subsequently pitched downward. The impact occurred in a desert region situated roughly 4 km from the runway threshold, positioned about 600 meters to the left of the extended centerline.
The crash resulted in a post-impact fire that consumed the wreckage. There were 24 fatalities among the occupants, with no survivors reported.
Findings
Investigations into the accident revealed that both engines ceased operation during the early stages of the climb. This engine failure was caused by the fuel selector being set to the front right tank, which contained no usable fuel at the time of the incident. The investigation concluded that inadequate flight preparation by the crew led to the selection of an empty fuel source.