Kyrgyz TezJet MD-83 suffers main gear collapse during takeoff at Bishkek

Image: Airports of Kyrgyzstan

A TezJet McDonnell Douglas MD-83 suffered a left main landing gear collapse during its takeoff roll at Bishkek’s Manas International Airport (BSZ) on July 7.

The aircraft (registration EX-80003) was operating scheduled domestic flight K9117 to Osh International Airport (OSS).

Following the gear failure, the flight crew initiated an emergency evacuation via the aircraft’s inflatable slides. According to the state airport management company, Airports of Kyrgyzstan, no fatalities were reported, though several passengers sustained minor abrasions and contusions during the deplaning process.

Manas International Airport has temporarily suspended all flight operations while recovery teams clear the disabled aircraft from the runway.

According to CentralAsia+Aero, the 30-year-old narrowbody airframe had undergone scheduled technical maintenance with Bulgarian MRO provider ETG Maintenance in September 2025.

The incident occurs just one month after the European Commission officially removed Kyrgyz air carriers from the EU Air Safety List. Kyrgyzstan had been subject to a blanket EU airspace ban for 20 years due to regulatory oversight concerns.