52 MEPs urge EBU to exclude Israel over Gaza war
Fifty-two Members of the European Parliament from 15 countries on Thursday called on the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to bar Israel from the 2026...
Kazakhstan's Ministry of Transport has released the preliminary report on the investigation on Azerbaijan Airlines's flight J2-8243's tragic crash. Read excerpts from the report and watch AnewZ's complete coverage.
A preliminary report on the investigation of the Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243 tragic crash near Aktau Airport in Kazakhstan on December 25th, 2024 has been released by the country’s Ministry of Transport.
Issued under global aviation rules designed to draw lessons to prevent future accidents, rather than assigning blame or liability, this preliminary report was cautiously worded and did not say what had caused the extensive damage to the plane, including its stabilisers, hydraulics and trim systems.
However, this introductory report includes photographs displaying the port side of the fuselage tail section pierced with numerous holes as well as photos of fragments that the report described as "foreign metal objects" removed from the left stabiliser and hydraulic system.
It also specifies that electronic warfare in Grozny disrupted the navigation system of the AZAL plane before crash near Aktau.
According to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) requirements, the state investigating the accident should submit an initial factual report to ICAO and the interested parties within 30 days.
The investigation commission formed in Kazakhstan has involved Azerbaijani representatives in the preparation of the mentioned report.
Below, excerpts from the preliminary report which validate data on the incident:
1. On December 25, 2024, the Embraer 190-100 IGW passenger aircraft, registered as 4K-AZ65 and owned by “Azerbaijan Hava Yollari” CJSC (Azerbaijan Airlines, or AZAL), was fully airworthy when it started its flight and while operating to Grozny. These airworthiness conditions, including operation of the flight control systems, were confirmed by FDR data.
2. Both engines of the aircraft were operational up until the accident. This information is also confirmed by the FDR records.
3. The aircraft lost GPS signals in the airspace of the Russian Federation, also experiencing the same failure above Grozny Airport.
4. Due to adverse weather conditions the aircraft unsuccessfully attempted to land in Grozny two times, and then the captain decided to return to Baku. Following this decision, the (CVR) recorded two external noises, occurring with 24 seconds interval, over Grozny.
5. Analysis of the CVR and FDR data showed that, 4 seconds after the first external noise the 3rd hydraulic system failed, followed by the failure of the 1st hydraulic system 6 seconds later, and the 2nd hydraulic system 21 seconds later.
6. Numerous through and blind damages were found on the fuselage, photos and video recordings were taken. The number of such damages were particularly high in the AFT part of the aircraft, including the vertical and horizontal stabilizers. Moreover, some of them were found in the left wing, and the left engine.
7. It was recorded that the damages in the fuselage were caused by foreign objects. No evidence of a bird strike was noted in the preliminary report.
8. Foreign objects that did not belong to the aircraft structure were discovered in the wreckage damages, and photos of these objects were made available to the public in the preliminary report. Additional expert examinations will be carried out to determine the exact origin of these objects.
9. At 05:13:32 UTC the aircraft lost all major flight controls, suffered cabin depressurisation, and the crew reported exploding seats in the cabin.
10. 8 minutes later, at 05:21:42, the coordinating air traffic controller conveyed to Grozny ATC the information on “Kovyor” emergency protocol, which closes airspace and reroutes incoming flights. The “Kovyor” special operation took place only after the aircraft had already suffered external impact and requested permission to land.
10. No information relating to an explosion of the oxygen cylinders is included in the preliminary report.
According to the ICAO requirements under the Chicago Convention, a final report on the causes of the accident shall be prepared within one year from the date of the accident. Relevant work on drafting the final report has already started involving authorities from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Brazil (as the manufacturer). The experts are analysing flight data recorders and wreckage materials.
On December 25th, 2024, an Azerbaijan Airlines' passenger plane tragically crashed, en route from Baku to Grozny, near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan after re-routing across the Caspian Sea from southern Russia.
Thirty-eight people - including citizens of Azerbaijan, Russia, and Kazakhstan - lost their lives, including Captain Igor Kshnyakin, First Officer Aleksandr Kalyaninov and Chief Flight Attendant Hokuma Aliyeva.
President of Azerbaijan, H. E. Ilham Aliyev awarded them the title of National Heroes of Azerbaijan, for their bravery and professionalism saved the lives of 29 passengers, including three children.
AnewZ has learned that India has once again blocked Azerbaijan’s application for full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, while Pakistan’s recent decision to consider diplomatic relations with Armenia has been coordinated with Baku as part of Azerbaijan’s peace agenda.
A day of mourning has been declared in Portugal to pay respect to victims who lost their lives in the Lisbon Funicular crash which happened on Wednesday evening.
A Polish Air Force pilot was killed on Thursday when an F-16 fighter jet crashed during a training flight ahead of the 2025 Radom International Air Show.
At least eight people have died and more than 90 others were injured following a catastrophic gas tanker explosion on a major highway in Mexico City’s Iztapalapa district on Wednesday, authorities confirmed.
European Union Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, visited the recently liberated village of Sarijali in Aghdam today. During her visit, she inspected mined areas and observed demining operations carried out by the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA).
A meeting of the government leaders of Turkic Council (TCT) member states has begun in Bishkek, the Kyrgyz Cabinet of Ministers reported. Prior to the event, Adylbek Kasymaliyev, the Chairman of the Kyrgyz Cabinet and Head of the Presidential Administration, welcomed the heads of the delegations.
Azerbaijan’s Minister of Economy, Mikayil Jabbarov, has met with EU Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood, Marta Kos. The Ministry of Economy reported on the meeting.
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met in Baku with the European Union Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported on the meeting.
Iran and Saudi Arabia – the two power houses in the Middle East -- have decided to advance their bilateral economic and defense ties and to increase cooperation in relation to the regional developments according to Iran’ security chief Ali Larijani.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment