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.
Kazakhstan’s Transport Ministry said Monday that the definitive report on last December’s Azerbaijan Airlines Flight J2‑8243 crash near Aktau—an accident that killed 38 of 67 people—will be released only after lab tests and simulations are finished.
The Kremlin has declined to comment on a preliminary report on the investigation of the Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243 tragic crash and suggested waiting for final report.
Kazakh political scientist Dimash Alzhanov claims that the leaked transcripts of alleged conversations between AZAL pilots and Russian ground services are an attempt to exert informational pressure on Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan during the investigation into the December crash
Azerbaijan sends the black boxes of the Aktau plane crash to Brazil's CENIPA for decoding, ensuring transparency, objectivity, and global standards in the investigation.
As Germany considers providing long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine, military experts warn the move could enable Kyiv to strike targets deep inside Russian territory, including Moscow — a shift that could escalate tensions and draw NATO closer to direct confrontation.
Ukraine has carried out one of its largest drone strikes of the war, reportedly hitting more than 40 Russian military aircraft at multiple air bases, a Ukrainian security official told Reuters on Sunday.
Flash floods in central Nigeria have killed at least 151 people, with authorities warning the toll may rise further as search and rescue operations continue in the flood-ravaged town of Mokwa, Niger State.
A celebration of Turkish cuisine and friendship took place in Karachi on Sunday as the Turkish Consulate hosted a World Breakfast Day event, sharing traditional flavours with a distinguished Pakistani audience.
Taxi drivers across France are protesting government plans to cut payments for driving patients to medical appointments. These cuts are part of a broader effort by Prime Minister François Bayrou to save €40 billion in the 2026 budget and reduce the country’s large deficit.
A car drove into crowds of Liverpool fans celebrating the club’s Premier League title in the city centre on Monday evening, injuring dozens including 4 children. A 53-year-old man believed to be the driver was arrested at the scene.
EU ministers have greenlit a massive €150 billion defense investment fund—dubbed the Security Action for Europe (SAFE)—as the bloc ramps up its military readiness in response to Russia’s aggression and growing uncertainty over U.S. security guarantees.
Brazil’s economy is expected to have regained momentum in the first quarter of 2025, driven by a surge in household spending and private investment, according to a Reuters poll of economists conducted from May 21–26.
Indonesian rescuers are continuing their efforts to locate eight people still missing after a quarry collapse in West Java left at least 17 dead and six injured, with authorities warning of ongoing landslide risks.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi spoke by phone with IAEA Director Rafael Mariano Grossi, warning that any political actions against Iran at next week’s Board of Governors meeting would have consequences.
Iran said on Saturday that it has officially received a new nuclear deal proposal from U.S. President Donald Trump, delivered by Oman during a diplomatic visit to Tehran.
Hamas said on Saturday it had officially responded to a ceasefire plan put forward by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, who represents President Donald Trump in Middle East diplomacy. The group said its reply includes a key demand: a complete end to the war.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar will provide joint financial support for Syrian state employees, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan announced during a visit to Damascus, as regional efforts to support Syria’s reconstruction gain momentum.
As Germany considers providing long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine, military experts warn the move could enable Kyiv to strike targets deep inside Russian territory, including Moscow — a shift that could escalate tensions and draw NATO closer to direct confrontation.
Ukraine has carried out one of its largest drone strikes of the war, reportedly hitting more than 40 Russian military aircraft at multiple air bases, a Ukrainian security official told Reuters on Sunday.
Flash floods in central Nigeria have killed at least 151 people, with authorities warning the toll may rise further as search and rescue operations continue in the flood-ravaged town of Mokwa, Niger State.
A celebration of Turkish cuisine and friendship took place in Karachi on Sunday as the Turkish Consulate hosted a World Breakfast Day event, sharing traditional flavours with a distinguished Pakistani audience.
Download the AnewZ app
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment