Kazakhstan releases timeline of Azerbaijan airlines plane crash
Kazakh authorities have revealed the sequence of events leading to the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 aircraft near Aktau, Kazakhstan, on December 25. The tragic incident resulted in the deaths of 38 people, while 29 survivors were rescued from the wreckage and transported to the hospital.
Passenger plane crashes in Kazakhstan, rescue efforts underway
A passenger plane flying from Baku to Grozny crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, with emergency teams working to extinguish a fire and investigate the incident.
👉 Details — https://t.co/BGWtVFzUZo#Kazakhstan… pic.twitter.com/qP8ijs1rxP
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Transport Minister Marat Karabayev provided a detailed account of the incident, highlighting technical malfunctions and emergency responses. At 10:43 AM, the Rostov regional dispatcher informed the Aktobe district dispatch center about the diversion of the Embraer 190 from its original route from Grozny to a backup airfield.
The aircraft had suffered failures in its control systems, including the elevator and ailerons, before entering Kazakh airspace. After receiving weather updates from Makhachkala and Baku, the crew opted to divert to Aktau.
At 10:53 AM, the Rostov flight controller relayed additional critical information to the Aktau tower. An oxygen tank in the passenger cabin reportedly exploded, causing passengers to lose consciousness. Resuscitation and emergency services were alerted to prepare for the plane’s arrival. The Aktau airfield implemented all necessary precautions, including activating runway lights for visibility and preparing rescue teams.
The crew made two failed landing attempts, during which the plane’s altitude fluctuated erratically, drifting toward the coastline. At 11:28 AM, contact with the crew was lost, and the plane crashed a few kilometers from Aktau Airport. The rescue services at Aktau Airport were the first to arrive at the crash site, initiating evacuation efforts. The nose section of the plane was completely destroyed by fire, while survivors were found in the tail section.
The aircraft, operating as flight J28243 from Baku to Grozny, carried 67 people, including 62 passengers and five crew members. Investigations have revealed structural holes in the wreckage, leading to speculation about a possible drone attack in Chechnya before the crash.
Upon inspecting the crashed plane, investigators discovered holes in the wreckage. This led some sources to speculate that the aircraft might have been shot down by an air defense system responding to a drone attack in Chechnya.
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