The Antonov An-124 was returning without cargo after completing its first commercial flight to Dubai, UAE. An intermediate stop was planned at Kerman Airport, Iran. Near Kerman, the flight was instructed to entered a holding pattern, but the flight crew failed to follow the established flight pattern in the holding area. The aircraft deviated to the north up to 47 km while descending from 8200 to 5200 m. The visibility for an approach to runway 34 was less than that established for this approach pattern. At a distance of 45 km, a turn to the opposite course was started and the descent was continued to 3300 m. After passing the airfield, the crew began the permitted descent from 3300 m, but did not complete a standard turn and left the approach pattern, continuing the flight towards the mountains up to 4100 m in the dark. At a speed of 385 km/h, the aircraft collided with a mountain slope at an altitude of 3400 m, crashed and caught fire.