What happened
During the initial climb phase following departure from Semipalatinsk Airport, the aircraft lost altitude while at approximately 100 meters. The plane impacted the ground in a relatively level attitude, crashing into a snow-covered field situated 1,457 meters beyond the runway threshold. The impact triggered a massive explosion that resulted in the total destruction of the airframe.
There were 32 fatalities recorded in the accident. Among the deceased were 11 members of the Kyzylorda Basketball Team, their coach, and a judge.
Findings
Official investigations were unable to establish a definitive cause for the crash. While an air traffic controller observed a large flash in the sky before the impact, subsequent technical analyses failed to identify any evidence of explosives on board or at the site. The lack of conclusive evidence regarding the source of the flash remains a primary point of interest in the investigation.