On December 25, an Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer E190 crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, during an emergency landing attempt amid severe weather conditions.
The aircraft, registered as 4K-AZ65, was operating flight J2-8243 from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Russia. It carried 67 people, including five crew members. Departing from Baku’s Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD) at 03:55 UTC, the flight was scheduled to land at Grozny Airport (GRV).
Due to inclement weather at Grozny, the flight was initially diverted to Makhachkala, Russia. Later, the crew opted to divert again to Aktau Airport (SCO) in Kazakhstan. During its final approach to Aktau’s runway 11, the aircraft crashed just short of the runway and caught fire, as reported by local authorities.
Update 15:00 UTC
Breaking news release : A Russian surface-to-air missile was fired at the aircraft that caused the Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer plane crash in Aktau on Wednesday, as per Azerbaizani Government.
The missile was fired at Flight 8432 above Grozny, and the shrapnel hit the passengers and cabin crew as it exploded next to the aircraft mid-flight.
Damaged aircraft was not allowed to land at any Russian airports despite the pilots’ requests for an emergency landing, and it was ordered to fly across the Caspian Sea towards Aktau in Kazakhstan.
Plane’s GPS navigation systems were jammed throughout the flight path above the sea.
Casualties and Injuries
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations reported that 29 individuals survived the crash, with 22 hospitalized. Sadly, 38 people lost their lives. The Associated Press, citing local sources, confirmed these figures.
Flightradar24’s ADS-B data indicated no anomalies until 04:25 UTC. However, at approximately 06:07 UTC, the aircraft declared an emergency, squawking 7700 while flying over the Caspian Sea.
Kazaeronavigatsiya, Kazakhstan’s air navigation authority, stated that the crew reported control issues as the aircraft approached Aktau. Altitude and speed fluctuations were noted during the descent.
Initial reports from Kazakh officials suggest the possibility of a bird strike contributing to the accident.
Crash Scene and Rescue Operations
The Embraer E190 crashed roughly 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) from Aktau Airport. Video footage from the crash site showed the plane impacting terrain at a low angle, with its right wing and nose striking first. The aircraft broke apart on impact, and the main cabin was engulfed in flames.
Images from the scene revealed that the tail section had detached and was found relatively intact, lying inverted some distance from the main wreckage.
Kazakhstan’s emergency services dispatched 52 personnel and 11 rescue vehicles to the site. Fire crews quickly extinguished the blaze, and medical teams transported survivors to local hospitals.
Investigation and Early Findings
Authorities in Kazakhstan have launched an investigation into the crash. Initial findings suggest that bird strikes might have caused mechanical issues, leading to the crew’s loss of control. Technical malfunctions and other factors are also under review.
In a statement, Azerbaijan Airlines acknowledged the crash and confirmed the diversions due to poor weather. Aviation regulators and international organizations have expressed condolences to the victims’ families.
Nationalities of Passengers and Crew
Azerbaijan Airlines released the flight’s passenger and crew manifest. Of the 67 people onboard:
• 37 were Azerbaijani nationals
• 16 were Russian nationals
• 6 were Kazakh citizens
• 3 were Kyrgyz citizens
The crew members were identified as Captain Igor Kshnyakin, First Officer Aleksandr Kalyaninov, and cabin crew Hokuma Aliyeva, Zulfugar Asadov, and Aydan Rahimli.
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