What happened
During the descent toward Bishkek, the aircraft's hydraulic systems ceased functioning while at an altitude of 5,700 meters. As the flight progressed through the approach phase, the captain notified Air Traffic Control that the landing gear could not be deployed due to the system malfunction.
To avoid a runway excursion, the crew performed a belly landing on a grassy section situated parallel to the primary runway at Bishkek Airport. The aircraft type slid across the terrain for a specific distance before finally coming to a stop. Despite the impact, there were 0 fatalities among the 43 occupants, and no injuries were reported following the incident. However, the aircraft was subsequently determined to be a total loss due to extensive damage.
Findings
Investigations into the mechanical failure revealed that the primary hydraulic system failed because the hydraulic tank cap was lost. This loss occurred after a nut was destroyed by fatigue, which investigators traced back to underlying structural and manufacturing defects.