Baku: An Azerbaijan Airlines passenger jet tragically crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, on Wednesday after rerouting from its original destination in southern Russia. The crash claimed the lives of at least 38 people, with 29 survivors reported. Here’s an overview of the incident and ongoing developments:
What Happened?
Flight J2-8243, operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, departed from Baku, Azerbaijan, and was scheduled to land in Grozny, Russia. However, the aircraft veered hundreds of miles off course, crossing the Caspian Sea before crashing about 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) from Aktau in Kazakhstan.
The reasons behind this significant deviation remain unclear. Russia’s aviation watchdog reported that the plane rerouted due to dense fog and local alerts about Ukrainian drones.
What Caused the Crash?
The cause of the crash is still under investigation. Preliminary findings have raised multiple possibilities:
- Shrapnel Damage: Sources familiar with Azerbaijan’s investigation told Reuters that Russian air defenses might have mistakenly shot down the aircraft. Photos of the wreckage showed apparent shrapnel damage to the tail section.
- Bird Strike: Russia’s aviation authority speculated that a bird strike could have triggered the emergency.
- External Interference: Azerbaijan Airlines suggested the crash resulted from “external physical and technical interference,” though further details were not provided.
Two passengers reported hearing a loud bang as the plane approached Grozny before diverting.
Investigation Underway
The crash is being investigated under international aviation standards outlined by ICAO’s Annex 13 protocol. Kazakhstan is leading the probe, with participation from Azerbaijan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Brazil (the aircraft manufacturer Embraer’s home country), and potentially the United States (where the engine was made).
- Black Box Found: Investigators have retrieved the aircraft’s black box, which contains critical flight data.
- Brazil’s Involvement: Brazil has dispatched three Air Force investigators, while Embraer representatives are already on site.
Preliminary findings are expected within 30 days, with a final report due in 12 months.
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Precedents of Conflict-Linked Crashes
If preliminary findings confirm the plane was shot down, this would mark the third major incident of its kind since 2014:
- Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 (2020): Shot down by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, killing 176 people.
- Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 (2014): Downed by a Russian missile over eastern Ukraine, resulting in 298 fatalities.
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Impact on Airline Operations
In response to the crash:
- Azerbaijan has suspended flights from Baku to Russia pending the final report.
- Flydubai has halted flights to two southern Russian airports.
The crash underscores ongoing risks to civil aviation in regions affected by armed conflicts.
