Kazakhstan is close to concluding the technical inquiry into the Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash, with the investigation expected to wrap up in the coming months. Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev mentioned that the findings are being summarized, involving an international commission. Initial reports have been received from equipment manufacturers, including GPS trackers, navigation systems, and the aircraft manufacturer, Embraer.
The commission overseeing the investigation comprises representatives from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia, along with experts from the aircraft manufacturer and international aviation bodies. The tragic incident involving Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243 from Baku to Grozny occurred near Aktau in Kazakhstan on December 25, 2024. The crash claimed the lives of 38 individuals, while 29 passengers were rescued, as per Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations.
Following the crash, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed regret to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev over the incident that took place in Russia’s airspace. Putin extended his condolences to the families of the victims. The blame game between Russia and Ukraine ensued, with Russia alleging Ukrainian military drone attacks on civilian infrastructure during the incident. Ukraine, on the other hand, insisted on holding Russia accountable for the downing of the Azerbaijan Airlines plane.
The aircraft, identified as flight J2-8243, crashed near Aktau Airport in Kazakhstan, carrying passengers from Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Initially, a bird strike was suspected as the cause of the tragedy. The flight, departing from Baku ahead of schedule, encountered challenges over the Caspian Sea and issued an emergency signal while en route to Chechnya. The aircraft’s diversion to Makhachkala and later to Aktau was reportedly due to fog hindering landing in Grozny.
Flight tracking data indicated the plane’s navigation issues over Russian airspace, leading to an emergency landing request. The aircraft eventually crashed a few kilometers from the airport, with reports of GPS jamming affecting its data transmission.
