What happened
During a nighttime flight traveling from Volgograd to Tbilisi, the aircraft experienced a simultaneous failure of both its primary and emergency hydraulic systems. This mechanical failure significantly impacted the plane's controllability, as the crew was unable to deploy flaps or adjust the stabilizers, which remained stuck in a neutral position. While the nose gear could still be extended, the loss of hydraulic pressure prevented a standard landing configuration.
The aircraft approached the runway but touched down on its belly at a speed of 250 km/h, with the nose gear making contact approximately 1,264 meters beyond the runway threshold. Due to the high speed and lack of braking capability, the plane overran the paved surface at 165 km/h. During the excursion, the aircraft struck a localizer antenna and a concrete wall before coming to a stop in a nearby ravine, where the fuselage broke into three separate sections.
All 30 occupants on board sustained injuries, with three individuals reported to be in serious condition.
Findings
Investigations determined that the dual hydraulic system failure was caused by water entering a tank through a faulty seal, which subsequently froze during flight and obstructed the systems.