The Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan announced the preliminary investigation results of the plane crash near Aktau on December 25, 2024. This was reported by Zamin.uz.
The accident involved an Embraer 190 aircraft belonging to Azerbaijan Airlines. The plane was en route from Baku to Grozny with a total of 67 people on board.
As a result of the tragedy, 38 people, including 3 crew members, died, while 29 passengers survived with various injuries. It is reported that the crash occurred during an attack by Ukrainian drones in the Caucasus region.
The accident happened when the plane changed its route towards Kazakhstan over the Caspian Sea. Investigations conducted by an international commission (representatives from Azerbaijan, Russia, Brazil, and ICAO) revealed damage to the aircraft's structure resembling the impact of combat weapons.
Holes were found in the hydraulic system pipes caused by foreign metal objects. However, the ownership of this weapon has not yet been determined.
This incident is causing political tensions between Azerbaijan and Russia. Azerbaijan suggests the plane was shot down by a missile from the Russian air defense system.
Russia, on the other hand, urges not to rush to conclusions until the investigation is complete. Currently, research is being conducted in two directions: analyzing flight safety in conflict zones and reconstructing the aircraft's hydraulic system.
The final investigation report is expected to be announced by the Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan by the end of 2025. Do you think civil aviation flights should be completely banned near regions where military conflicts are ongoing?
