Kazakh investigators have issued a preliminary report on the Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer E190 crash, registered as 4K-AZ65, which occurred near Aktau, Kazakhstan in December. The aircraft attempted to land in Kazakhstan after failing to do so in Grozny, Russia. Damage from external objects forced it to turn away from the Russian airport.
The Kazakh Aviation Accidents and Incidents Investigation Division (AAIID) reported that on December 25, 2024, the Azerbaijan Airlines flight J28243 departed from Baku Heydar Aliyev International Airport heading to Grozny Airport. The regional jet carried 62 passengers and five crew members.
During the flight over Russia, pilots lost GPS systems and received a false ground proximity warning system alarm according to cockpit voice recorder data. Weather conditions at Grozny were challenging with low visibility due to fog.
“Initial findings suggest that the airliner was likely struck by fire from Russian air defense systems.”
At 08:13, hydraulic pressure issues arose leading to control surface failures. Pilots declared an emergency after experiencing two ‘booms’ heard on CVR recordings. Attempts were made for diversions considering weather conditions at Mineralnye Vody and Makhachkala airports before deciding on returning to Baku. However, they eventually opted for Aktau due to deteriorating conditions.
“So, we have the following situation: the oxygen is running out in the passenger cabin… Let us go at a lower altitude.”
At 11:03 local time, pilots declared a MAYDAY emergency reporting failed control surfaces and managing with engine thrust levers only. By 11:27, the E190 crashed near Aktau resulting in 38 fatalities and several injuries.
“Initial damage inspection of surviving fragments revealed multiple penetrating and non-penetrating damage…”
Kazakh investigators found metal pieces extracted from the fuselage pending further examination before final reporting. President Ilham Aliyev accused Russia of anti-aircraft fire causing damage but no official responsibility has been accepted by Russia despite an apology from President Vladimir Putin.
In response to this incident, aviation authorities like EASA updated their conflict zone warnings including Russian airspace among potentially dangerous zones advising operators against flying within certain coordinates until July 31.
