Embraer 190 plane crash in Kazakhstan on December 25, 2024

On December 25, 2024, an air crash involving an Embraer 190 aircraft of Azerbaijan Airlines occurred near the city of Aktau, located on the coast of the Caspian Sea in Kazakhstan. There were 67 people on board, including 5 crew members.

Chronology of events

On December 25, 2024, the Embraer 190 aircraft of Azerbaijan Airlines operated flight J2-8243 from Baku to Grozny. There were 67 people on board, including five crew members. The aircraft took off from Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku at 07:55 Baku time. The flight was carried out in the normal mode, the weather conditions in Baku met the requirements for departure.

At 08:40, while close to Grozny airspace, the crew encountered navigational difficulties. According to monitoring services, GPS interference and deviations from the route were recorded. Soon, the crew received information about difficult weather conditions at the destination, including thick fog, which made landing in Grozny impossible. The crew decided to head to the reserve airport of Aktau.

At about 09:35, the crew sent a distress signal, reporting a failure in the control system. At this time, the plane was at an altitude of about 4500 meters. The pilots requested an emergency landing at Aktau airport. At 09:49, preparations for a manual landing began. At 10:07, the plane reappeared on radars, flying over the Caspian Sea towards Aktau airport. It was noted that the plane deviated from the standard trajectory.

At 10:28, the plane crashed three kilometers from Aktau airport. Eyewitnesses reported a flash in the sky and a loud sound resembling an explosion shortly before the crash. The plane crashed with its landing gear down, and the right wing touched the ground first. After the impact, there was an explosion, followed by a large fire.

Rescue services quickly arrived at the scene of the disaster. The fire was localized by 10:45 and completely extinguished by 11:05. The evacuation of survivors began. Of the 67 people on board, 29 survived, including two children. Most of the victims received severe injuries and burns. The survivors were taken to medical institutions in Aktau.

Around 14:00, a team of experts from Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan arrived at the scene. Both flight recorders were found and sent for decoding. An investigation into the causes of the crash began, including consideration of possible technical faults, human factors and external influences. Analysis of the wreckage revealed damage that could have been caused by both internal failures and external influences, including a missile strike.

Work at the crash site continues. Official investigation results are expected in the coming weeks.

Rescue operation and victims

The units of the Emergency Situations Department of the Mangystau Region promptly arrived at the scene. In total, 701 personnel and 82 units of civil defense equipment participated in the rescue operation. The fire that broke out after the crash was localized by 11:45 and completely extinguished by 12:05.

According to the latest data, 32 people survived the disaster and were taken to medical facilities, including two children. The condition of the victims is assessed as stable, but some of them are in serious condition and require intensive care.

Versions of the causes of the disaster: human factor, technical malfunctions or external influence?

Against the backdrop of the tragedy near Aktau, more and more evidence is emerging that points to possible external influence as one of the very likely causes of the disaster. Characteristic marks resembling traces of striking elements were found on the wreckage of the plane, which could indicate a missile or other explosive device hit.

This version is supported by eyewitness reports that three explosions occurred on board. Experts working at the scene also reported that the damage to the plane, especially in the fuselage area, looks atypical for a normal impact with the ground. According to one of the experts involved in the investigation, the characteristic marks do resemble the effects of an explosive device or shrapnel.

Similar incidents have already occurred in world practice, for example, the crash of flight MH17 over Donbass in 2014, which was caused by the plane being hit by a missile. In addition, the analysis of the debris and engine parts indicates a strong destructive impact, which could only have occurred as a result of an external explosion. At the moment, experts are studying the elements of the plane's structure to search for traces of explosives.

The reaction of the authorities and the public

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev expressed deep condolences to the families of those killed and injured in the disaster. In connection with the tragedy, December 26 was declared a day of mourning in Azerbaijan.

The international community also expressed support and solidarity with the people of Azerbaijan. Condolences were received from leaders of various countries, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and others.

Investigation and further actions

A joint commission, which includes representatives of the aviation authorities of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, is working at the scene of the accident. The commission's main task is to establish the exact causes of the disaster and develop recommendations for preventing similar incidents in the future. Specialists have already begun decoding the flight recorders that were found at the crash site.

In addition, Azerbaijan Airlines has opened a hotline for relatives of passengers of flight J2-8243, providing all the necessary information and support during this difficult period.

History of air crashes in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan, like many other countries, has faced tragic incidents in civil aviation. In recent years, there have been several disasters, each of which left a deep mark on the memory of citizens and on the history of aviation in the country.

One of the most well-known disasters was the tragedy of December 27, 2019, when a Fokker 100 aircraft of Bek Air crashed shortly after takeoff from Almaty airport. There were 98 people on board: 93 passengers and 5 crew members. The plane crashed into a private sector, destroying several buildings. As a result of the disaster, 12 people died, including the captain, and 66 were injured. The investigation showed that one of the possible causes of the disaster could be icing of the aircraft surface before takeoff. This disaster led to the suspension of Bek Air's operations and changes to the rules for operating aircraft in the winter.

Another major disaster occurred on January 29, 2013, when a Challenger 200 of SCAT Airlines, flying from Kokshetau to Almaty, crashed near Almaty airport. There were 21 people on board, including five crew members. All passengers and crew died. The cause of the disaster was human error - the crew made mistakes in controlling the aircraft in poor visibility. This incident prompted a review of pilot training standards and landing approach rules in adverse weather conditions.

On December 25, 2012, a tragedy occurred with the military transport aircraft AN-72, belonging to the Border Service of Kazakhstan. The plane crashed while landing at the Shymkent airport. There were 27 people on board, including high-ranking border service officials. All of them died. The investigation showed that the cause of the disaster was a technical malfunction, aggravated by adverse weather conditions.

Another tragic incident occurred on July 20, 2012, when a Mi-8 helicopter of the Ministry of Defense of Kazakhstan crashed near the city of Shymkent. There were 13 people on board, including crew members. All passengers died. The cause of the disaster was a collision with a mountain slope due to poor visibility in foggy conditions.

International reaction and support

The tragedy near Aktau has caused a wide response in the international community. Condolences and offers of assistance have come from many countries and international organizations. In particular, Russian rescue services have sent equipment and medical specialists to Kazakhstan to help eliminate the consequences of the disaster.