For most western operators its max two approaches and divert...
I am sure that it was the first approach. It is quite often that somebody report third or forth attempt in case of Russian accidents. Remember for example Polish President crash...
I suppose that it is caused by Russian terminology. G/A is in Russian "second circuit" the final turn is "the fourth turn". So our disaster after second circuit can be misunderstood like third attempt to land.
Landing weight was 42 t, ie gravity force approx 410 kN. Max. thrust of both engines 200 kN. Good ratio weight/thrust=2
