Erratic flight patterns observed before Azerbaijan Airlines Flight J28243 crash

The aircraft maintained a cruising altitude of 30,000 feet at 04:25 with a ground speed of around 400 knots but dropped to an altitude of 14,025 feet with a ground speed of just 52 knots twelve minutes later. Significant gaps appeared in the data until about 05:13; subsequent information lacked positional details.

Images and videos showing damage to the plane's tail suggest it might have been hit by anti-aircraft weaponry, though this has not been officially confirmed.

ADS-B data reveals that for nearly 75 minutes before crashing, the aircraft's altitude fluctuated significantly by up to ±8,000 feet at times. Its vertical speed and ground speed were also inconsistent, indicating potential loss of primary flight controls with pilots possibly relying on engine thrust for control.

Kazakhstan’s senate chairman Ashimbayev Maulen stated that all involved countries "have no interest in hiding information" and will cooperate with investigations into the crash cause. Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev ordered an investigation commission and emphasized that "the matter must be thoroughly investigated."

Videos and images from inside the cabin while still airborne support theories that shrapnel from an anti-aircraft weapon might have struck the plane. A female passenger reportedly sustained leg injuries from shrapnel as shown in footage where a hole is visible in the fuselage.

Azerbaijan Airlines reported that dense fog prevented landing attempts in Grozny leading to diversion efforts. A surviving passenger told BBC during one attempt something exploded causing parts of aircraft skin to blow out. Russian government spokesman Dmitry Peskov advised against forming hypotheses prior to investigation conclusions.