Quantcast

Azerbaijan Airlines crash linked to alleged Russian missile strike

Qantas launches mammoth Asia flight sale including Bali and Japan
New Update from Air Canada, WestJet, American Airlines, Delta, United, Southwest, Alaska, JetBlue Airways, and Sunwing: Airline Capacity Between Canada and US Slashed as Bookings Plummet Seventy Per Cent
Delta Cuts Two Domestic Routes
United Airlines Technicians Reject ‘Dead on Arrival’ Contract Proposal, Teamsters Say
The State of the Asia Pacific Airline Industry
Spirit Airlines to add Detroit nonstop flight out of Bradley International Airport
Major airline to launch new direct flights from Scotland to North America
Ryanair launches new ‘prime’ membership which saves passengers more than £400 a year
Judge Orders Boeing to Trial on 737 MAX Case
Qantas’ free international Wi-Fi to switch on from next week
The real reason Southwest is charging for bags now
Air France-KLM in ongoing talks with Air Europa on potential stake, CEO says
Frontier Savagely Shades Southwest After They Eliminated Longstanding Free Bag Policy, Sparking Backlash
Frontier Wants You to 'Divorce Your Old Airline' After Southwest Changes
Delta named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies for sustainability initiatives
Passengers escape fiery American Airlines jet in Denver
Delta, American Dive On Slashed Outlooks; But Two Airlines Rally
Competitors are circling Southwest after the airline announced it's going to start charging for checked bags
Exclusive: Dominican Low-Cost Carrier Arajet Wants to Disrupt NYC Market
Boeing deliveries rise 63% in February from a year earlier
Transportation Secretary Duffy Lays Out 10 Ways the FAA Is Working to Upgrade Air Traffic Control and Make Flying Safer
EasyJet pilot Paul Elsworth suspended after flying too close to mountain
Delta Air Lines bets on ‘blended-wing’ flight to reduce emissions
Europe's airlines pivot to bite size M&A deals to limit cost, regulatory burden
Dave Emerson named new CEO of Virgin Australia, replacing Jayne Hrdlicka
Ryanair DELAYS controversial new boarding pass rule to avoid summer chaos
FAA Orders Inspection, Replacement of 737NG Engine Parts
Spirit Adds New Airport, Three Routes
Delta crash passengers should take the $30,000 payment, their lawyers say. Here’s why.
Budget airline launches new cheap flights to one of the UK’s top winter sun destinations
Azerbaijan Airlines crash linked to alleged Russian missile strike
Policy
Webp 9d8e4n9zvnq6npvse1f7c4oouh5n
Airbus A380 | Airbus

On December 25, an Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190, operating as Flight 8432, crashed near Aktau International Airport in western Kazakhstan. The flight carried 62 passengers and five crew members, resulting in the loss of 38 lives. Initial reports suggested a bird strike as the cause; however, images circulated on social media showed shrapnel damage to the aircraft's tail and fuselage. This has led to speculation about a Russian air defense missile strike.

Euronews reported that "Azerbaijani government sources have exclusively confirmed to Euronews on Thursday that a Russian surface-to-air missile caused the Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash in Aktau on Wednesday." According to these sources, the missile was fired at Flight 8432 during drone activity over Grozny. The explosion reportedly sent shrapnel into the aircraft mid-flight.

The report further noted that despite requests for an emergency landing, "the stricken Azerbaijan Airlines aircraft was 'not allowed to land at any Russian airports.'" As a result, it was redirected across the Caspian Sea to Kazakhstan's nearest airport near where it eventually crashed. Earlier accounts had attributed the inability to land to poor visibility.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

The incident coincided with Russia launching a large missile strike on Ukraine, which involved operations over the nearby Caspian Sea. GPS jamming affected Flight 8432's route visibility on radar. Flightradar24 confirmed interference with ADS-B data gathering due to this jamming.

Russia has yet to comment officially on the incident's cause but has advised against spreading "hypotheses" regarding it. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan Airlines has provided contact numbers for family members of those onboard.

Survivors described hearing an explosion followed by shrapnel impacts that punctured parts of the fuselage. Damage appeared concentrated on the tail and rear sections of the plane. Videos from inside showed similar damage and injuries among passengers.

The Embraer 190 departed Baku International Airport en route to Grozny Airport before encountering trouble. Aviation Safety Network recorded its takeoff time as 03:55 UTC.

This tragic event draws parallels with past incidents involving passenger aircraft downed by air defense systems. Notable cases include Malaysian Flight MH17 in 2014 and more recently an Embraer Legacy 600 carrying Yevgeny Prigozhin in August 2023.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Emirates has announced that the My Emirates Pass will be available throughout the year with seasonal offers in summer and winter.

Apr 3, 2025

United Airlines has announced the issuance of travel waivers for passengers whose flights were affected by closures at London Heathrow Airport.

Apr 2, 2025

ITA Airways announced that flight AZ806 managed to land safely after a brief hold due to nearby missile activity.

Apr 2, 2025

EVA Air has announced the reinstatement of its Premium Economy Class on the Seattle route, with three weekly flights scheduled from March 8 through July 27.

Apr 2, 2025

Emirates Airlines has announced the launch of a new door-to-door delivery service called 'Very Important Parcels' (VIPs), promising the same level of care as provided to its passengers.

Apr 2, 2025

Cargolux has announced the transportation of two lions, Tsar and Jamil, from captivity in Ukraine to a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa.

Apr 2, 2025