What happened
A flight originating from Kyzymshek, which included a scheduled stop in Shulakkurgan before continuing to Shymkent, ended in a fatal accident. Before departing from Shulakkurgan, the flight crew received notifications regarding adverse weather conditions along the planned route. In response, the captain requested an alternative flight path. Air traffic control authorized a westward reroute; however, shortly after departure, the aircraft encountered heavy rain and low cloud cover.
During this period of poor visibility, the single-engine airplane collided with a mountain slope at an altitude of 454 meters within the Karamuryn Mountain Range. Following the failure of the aircraft to reach its destination, search and rescue teams initiated operations. Two days after the disappearance, investigators located the burnt wreckage approximately 35 km northeast of Shieli. There were 13 fatalities among the occupants.
Findings
The investigation concluded that the accident was a result of controlled flight into terrain while operating in weather conditions below established minima. Several contributing factors were identified, including the captain's decision to proceed with the flight despite known hazards and the failure to return to the airport. Additionally, the authorization of the westward route by air traffic control was deemed irresponsible. The investigation also noted that meteorological bulletins provided inaccurate forecasts, as the actual weather conditions were more severe than predicted. Broader issues such as operational mismanagement and poor decision-making by multiple parties involved in the flight's organization were also cited.