What happened
During a flight from Ashgabat to Türkmenabat Airport, the crew encountered severe weather conditions, including heavy rainfall, thunderstorm activity, and significantly reduced visibility. While performing the short final phase of the approach, the aircraft drifted to the right of the intended path after the crew briefly lost sight of the runway.
As the aircraft descended to an altitude of approximately 12 metres, the right wing collided with a mast. The impact triggered a fire, causing the aircraft to bank sharply to the right. The plane subsequently crashed at a speed of 220 km/h, approximately one kilometre from the end of the runway, where the wreckage caught fire.
All 38 occupants managed to evacuate the aircraft safely, though five passengers sustained injuries during the incident. The aircraft type was destroyed by the resulting flames.
Findings
- The flight was operating in poor weather conditions characterized by thunderstorms and heavy rain.
- A loss of visual contact with the runway led to a deviation from the approach path.