Azerbaijan E190 near Aktau on Dec 25th 2024, lost height and impacted ground after being shot at

Last Update: December 31, 2024 / 12:21:12 GMT/Zulu time

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Incident Facts

Date of incident
Dec 25, 2024

Classification
Accident

Airline
Azerbaijan Airlines

Flight number
J2-8243

Departure
Baku, Azerbaijan

Destination
Grozny, Russia

Aircraft Registration
4K-AZ65

Aircraft Type
Embraer ERJ-190

ICAO Type Designator
E190

An Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer ERJ-190, registration 4K-AZ65 performing flight J2-8243 from Baku (Azerbaijan) to Grozny (Russia) with 62 passengers and 5 crew, had diverted from Grozny to Aktau (Kazakhstan) due to weather, subsequently attempted to divert to Makhachkala (Russia) but aborted the approach to Makhachkala due to fog before diverting to Aktau, where the aircraft attempted an emergency landing on Aktau's runway 11 at 11:28L (06:28Z) about one hour after the aborted approach to Grozny. The aircraft was turning onto final approach with gear down but lost height and impacted ground off the runway in a near landing but nose down attitude and caught fire. Rescue services were able to rescue 29 people including all cabin crew alive. 38 bodies including both flight crew were recovered.

Kazakhstan's Transport Ministry reported 62 passengers and 5 crew were on board of the aircraft, 32 were rescued alive. 4 bodies have been recovered.

The airline reported there were 62 passengers (37 Azerbaijani, 16 Russian, 6 Kazakh and 3 Kyrgyz citizens) and 5 crew on board. The aircraft made an emergency landing about 3km (1.6nm) from Aktau's Airport. A hotline has been established. The airline published a list with the names of the occupants.

Kazakhstan's Health Services report, 28 survivors were taken to hospitals, 7 of them are in intensive care.

Azerbaijan's Prosecution General Office confirmed that 32 people survived the accident. A criminal investigation has been opened, experts are looking into all directions, are considering various scenarios and conduct the necessary examinations. The office is closely working together with Kazakhstan's Prosecution Office.

Kazakhstan's Deputy Prime Minister reported 29 people are in hospital care. 11 of them received serious injuries but are stable, the others received minor injuries. 38 people have died in the accident. Asked about the holes seen in the remains of the aircraft he stated that even preliminary conclusions are not possible as of current. Forensic experts and aviation investigators have arrived on scene. The investigation will be conducted by Kazakhstan's Law Enforcement Agencies according to Code 344 of Kazakhstan's Law with collegues from other countries able to participate.

Kazakhstan's Vice Minister of Transport stated, that the aircraft made two turns in the airport area after entering Kazakh airspace and hit ground on the third turn.

Kazakhstan's Ministry for Emergency Situations reported Aktau Airport reported at 11:00L, that an Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer ERJ-190 was inbound to Aktau having declared emergency and heading to Aktau. The landing was estimated for 11:25L. At 11:30L information was received that the aircraft had impacted ground about 3km from the airport. By 11:45L the fire was contained and by 12:05L extinguished. By 14:10 29 people had been taken to hospitals. Rescuers as well as investigators from Azerbaijan have already arrived in Aktau.

On Dec 26th 2024 it was reported Kazakhstan's AAIID is leading the investigation supported by accident investigators from Azerbaijan (operator of aircraft) and Brasil's CENIPA (manufacturer of aircraft). At least one of the blackboxes has been found.

Azerbaijan's President stated in a news conference, that bad weather forced the aircraft to divert.

In a press conference Kazakhstan's Chief Prosecution Office reported the black box has been recovered.

On Dec 27th 2024 Brazil's Investigators have arrived on site, the black box(es) are to be read out and decoded by CENIPA.

On Dec 27th 2024 the airline reported that preliminary data suggest the aircraft was subjected to external physical and technical impacts.

On Dec 28th 2024 Kazakhstan's president stated, that a comprehensive and objective investigation will be carried out. It is important to prevent information provocation and fakes.

On Dec 28th 2024 Turkey dispatched 8 investigators to Baku on request by Azerbaijam to assist the investigation.

On Dec 27th 2024 the USA offered assistance to the investigation. A spokesman for the White House stated the US saw initial indications that could indicate the possibility that the airplane was shot down by Russian air defense systems.

On Dec 28th 2024 Azerbaijan's Minister of Transport said, that preliminary conclusions point towards an external impact, the type of weapon used in the impact will be determined during the investigation.

On Dec 28th 2024 Russia's President apologized to Azerbaijan's President for the tragic accident with an Azerbaijani Aircraft. Russian Air Defense Systems were firing on Ukraine drones and repelled that attack. The president confirmed that the Azerbaijani aircraft had repeatedly tried to land at Grozny.

On Dec 29th 2024 Azerbaijan's President stated they can tell with absolute clarity that the airplane was shot down by Russia though not intentionally. He criticized Russia for trying to hush up the issue for days and stated he was surprised and upset about versions of events forwarded by Russia. He stated he wanted an international investigation and categorically refused Russia's suggestion to have the MAK investigate the accident.

On Dec 30th 2024 Kazakhstan's Ministry of Transport stated that the black boxes of the aircraft will be sent to Brazil for readout and analysis by Brazil's CENIPA.

On Dec 30th 2024 IATA released a statement: "Civil aircraft must never be the intended or accidental target of military operations. The strong potential that Azerbaijan Airlines flight 8243 could have been the victim of military operations, as indicated by several governments including Russia and Azerbaijan, places the highest priority on conducting a thorough, transparent, and impartial investigation. The world eagerly awaits the required publication of the interim report within 30 days, in line with international obligations agreed in the Chicago Convention. And should the conclusion be that this tragedy was the responsibility of combatants, the perpetrators must be held accountable and brought to justice."

On Dec 30th 2024 Kazakhstan's Ministry of Transport pledged a preliminary report will be released within 30 days after the accident.

Due to GPS jamming and spoofing in the region existing radar data do not tell the true flight path and can not be used to analyse the aircraft's problems.

Metars Grozny:
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URMG 250648Z VRB01MPS 3200 BR OVC004 03/02 Q1026 R26/190060 NOSIG RMK MT OBSC OBST OBSC QFE754/1006=
URMG 250631Z VRB01MPS 2600 BR OVC004 03/02 Q1026 R26/190060 NOSIG RMK MT OBSC OBST OBSC QFE754/1006=
URMG 250630Z VRB01MPS 2600 BR OVC005 03/02 Q1026 R26/190060 NOSIG RMK MT OBSC OBST OBSC QFE754/1006=
URMG 250619Z VRB01MPS 2800 BR OVC004 03/02 Q1025 R26/290250 NOSIG RMK MT OBSC OBST OBSC QFE754/1006=
URMG 250600Z 18001MPS 2900 BR OVC004 03/02 Q1025 R26/290250 NOSIG RMK MT OBSC OBST OBSC QFE754/1006=
URMG 250555Z VRB01MPS 2900 BR OVC004 03/02 Q1025 R26/290250 NOSIG RMK MT OBSC OBST OBSC QFE754/1006=
URMG 250551Z VRB01MPS 3100 BR OVC004 03/02 Q1025 R26/290250 NOSIG RMK MT OBSC OBST OBSC QFE754/1006=
URMG 250550Z VRB01MPS 2900 BR OVC005 03/02 Q1025 R26/290250 NOSIG RMK MT OBSC OBST OBSC QFE754/1006=
URMG 250549Z 18001MPS 3000 BR OVC006 03/02 Q1025 R26/290250 NOSIG RMK MT OBSC OBST OBSC QFE754/1006=
URMG 250546Z 18001MPS 2900 BR OVC011 03/02 Q1025 R26/290250 NOSIG RMK OBST OBSC QFE754/1006=
URMG 250530Z 16001MPS 3500 BR OVC012 03/02 Q1025 R26/290250 NOSIG RMK OBST OBSC QFE754/1005=
URMG 250528Z 00000MPS 3500 BR OVC012 03/02 Q1025 R26/290250 NOSIG RMK QFE754/1005=
URMG 250502Z 24001MPS 3500 BR OVC008 03/02 Q1025 R26/290250 NOSIG RMK MT OBSC OBST OBSC QFE754/1005=
URMG 250500Z 24001MPS 3500 BR OVC014 03/02 Q1025 R26/290250 NOSIG RMK QFE754/1005=
URMG 250430Z 26001MPS 3600 BR OVC007 03/02 Q1025 R26/290250 NOSIG RMK MT OBSC OBST OBSC QFE754/1005=
URMG 250400Z 25002MPS 3600 BR OVC006 03/02 Q1025 R26/290250 NOSIG RMK MT OBSC OBST OBSC QFE753/1005=
URMG 250330Z 23002MPS 200V260 3600 BR OVC007 03/02 Q1024 R26/290250 NOSIG RMK MT OBSC OBST OBSC QFE753/1005=
URMG 250300Z VRB01MPS 3600 BR OVC009 03/02 Q1024 R26/290250 NOSIG RMK MT OBSC OBST OBSC QFE753/1004=

Metars Makhachkala:
URML 250800Z 33002MPS 5000 BR BKN009 OVC024 07/06 Q1026 R32/01//70 TEMPO 1500 BR OVC004 RMK MT OBSC QFE769/1026=
URML 250730Z 33002MPS 3700 BR BKN009 OVC016 07/06 Q1026 R32/01//70 TEMPO 1500 BR OVC004 RMK MT OBSC QFE769/1026=
URML 250719Z 33002MPS 4100 BR BKN009 OVC020 07/06 Q1026 R32/01//70 TEMPO 1500 BR OVC004 RMK MT OBSC QFE769/1026=
URML 250707Z 33002MPS 3600 BR BKN005 OVC020 07/06 Q1026 R32/01//70 TEMPO 1500 BR OVC004 RMK QBB150 MT OBSC QFE769/1026=
URML 250700Z 33003MPS 2500 BR BKN009 OVC020 07/06 Q1026 R32/01//70 TEMPO 1500 BR OVC004 RMK MT OBSC QFE769/1026=
URML 250657Z 33002MPS 2500 BR BKN004 OVC020 07/06 Q1026 R32/01//70 TEMPO 1500 BR OVC016 RMK QBB140 MT OBSC QFE769/1026=
URML 250630Z 32002MPS 2700 BR FEW/// OVC024 07/05 Q1026 R32/01//70 NOSIG RMK QFE769/1026=
URML 250600Z 31002MPS 3600 BR FEW/// OVC023 07/05 Q1026 R32/01//70 NOSIG RMK QFE769/1025=
URML 250530Z 32002MPS 4800 BR FEW006 OVC024 07/05 Q1026 R32/01//70 NOSIG RMK QBB180 QFE769/1025=
URML 250500Z 32002MPS 6000 OVC025 06/05 Q1026 R32/01//70 NOSIG RMK QFE769/1025=
URML 250430Z 34003MPS 7000 FEW006 OVC026 06/05 Q1025 R32/01//70 NOSIG RMK QBB180 QFE769/1025=
URML 250400Z 34002MPS 6000 FEW006 OVC026 07/05 Q1025 R32/01//70 NOSIG RMK QBB180 QFE768/1025=
URML 250330Z 32001MPS 3600 BR OVC027 06/05 Q1025 R32/01//70 NOSIG RMK QFE768/1024=
URML 250300Z 00000MPS 3900 BR OVC029 07/05 Q1025 R32/01//70 NOSIG RMK QFE768/1024=
URML 250230Z 31003MPS 4500 BR OVC029 07/05 Q1024 R32/01//70 NOSIG RMK QFE768/1024=
URML 250200Z 33002MPS 4300 BR OVC028 06/05 Q1024 R32/01//70 NOSIG RMK QFE768/1024=

Metars Aktau:
UATE 250800Z 04007MPS 9999 FEW053CB 06/M01 Q1025 NOSIG RMK QFE767/1022=
UATE 250730Z 03006MPS 9999 FEW056CB 06/M00 Q1025 NOSIG RMK QFE767/1023=
UATE 250700Z 03006MPS 9999 SCT056CB 05/M00 Q1025 NOSIG RMK QFE767/1023=
UATE 250630Z 04006MPS 9999 BKN036 04/M01 Q1025 NOSIG RMK QFE767/1023=
UATE 250600Z 03005MPS 9999 BKN036 04/M01 Q1025 NOSIG RMK QFE767/1023=
UATE 250530Z 04006MPS 9999 BKN036 04/M01 Q1025 NOSIG RMK QFE767/1022=
UATE 250500Z 04007MPS 9999 BKN036 03/M01 Q1024 NOSIG RMK QFE766/1022=
UATE 250430Z 03007MPS 9999 BKN036 03/M01 Q1024 NOSIG RMK QFE766/1022=
UATE 250400Z 03006MPS 9999 BKN036 03/M00 Q1024 NOSIG RMK QFE766/1022=
UATE 250330Z 03005MPS 9999 OVC036 03/00 Q1024 NOSIG RMK QFE766/1022=
UATE 250300Z 03005MPS 9999 OVC036 03/01 Q1024 NOSIG RMK QFE766/1021=
UATE 250230Z 03006MPS 9999 BKN040 03/01 Q1024 NOSIG RMK QFE766/1021=
UATE 250200Z 03004MPS 9999 BKN040 03/01 Q1024 NOSIG RMK QFE766/1021=