Turkish Airlines Flight 6491 was a cargo flight operating a Boeing 747-400F, which crashed shortly after takeoff from Manas International Airport in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. On January 16, the aircraft was in the process of arriving from Hong Kong when it encountered technical difficulties that led to a loss of altitude. The flight was attempting to return to the airport when it tragically crashed into a nearby residential area. Reports suggest that the aircraft struck several homes, leading to extensive destruction and ultimately resulting in 39 deaths, including the entire crew of 33 and six residents on the ground. Eyewitness accounts described the aircraft as having a rough descent before it crashed, raising immediate alarm among local residents.

Investigations into the accident revealed that the pilots had reported mechanical issues in the minutes leading up to the crash. Despite attempts to troubleshoot the aircraft's problems, the situation escalated with devastating results. The crash raised significant concerns regarding aviation safety protocols, particularly in a region known for turbulent weather conditions and infrastructure challenges at its airports. Moreover, the incident cast a spotlight on regulations surrounding aging aircraft operating in the freight transport sector, amplifying calls from safety experts for stricter oversight of airline operations.

The immediate aftermath saw the mobilization of emergency services to the site of the crash, where they worked to recover victims and provide assistance to those affected by the destruction of their homes. Investigators from Turkish Airlines, alongside Kyrgyz officials, conducted a thorough examination of the wreckage and black box data to determine the root causes of the accident. The findings prompted discussions about potential regulatory reforms and advancements in aviation safety standards to prevent such tragic occurrences in the future.