Azerbaijani Airlines Plane Crash in Kazakhstan

By Gleb Stolyarov and Nailia Bagirova

BAKU (Reuters) – Two passengers and one crew member on the Azerbaijan Airlines plane that crashed in Kazakhstan described hearing at least one loud bang as it approached its intended destination of Grozny in southern Russia.

Incident Overview

Flight J2-8243 crashed on Wednesday near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan after diverting from an area in southern Russia, where Moscow has used air defense systems against Ukrainian drones. At least 38 people were killed, with 29 survivors.

Subhonkul Rakhimov, a passenger, recounted, "After the bang…I thought the plane was going to fall apart," expressing fear and desperation. Another passenger, Vafa Shabanova, also reported hearing loud bangs and feeling scared.

Crew and Passenger Accounts

Flight attendant Zulfugar Asadov detailed that the pilot was denied landing in Grozny due to fog and circled when multiple bangs were heard. He stated, "The pilot had just lifted the plane up when I heard a bang from the left wing. There were three bangs. The cabin lost pressure."

Amid these chaotic moments, Azerbaijan Airlines announced the suspension of several flights to Russian cities, citing possible "physical and technical external interference" as a cause of the crash. While specifics weren't disclosed, sources suggest that Russian air defenses mistakenly shot it down.

Russia has emphasized the need for a thorough official investigation to understand the incident better.

Flight Details and Aftermath

The Embraer passenger jet, which flew from Baku to Grozny, later diverted hundreds of miles across the Caspian Sea, landing hard in Aktau. Asadov noted that the captain warned passengers to brace for impact as they approached the land.

Footage recorded before the crash showed passengers with oxygen masks and life vests, indicating severe distress. After the crash, Rakhimov recounted silence before the cries of the injured filled the air.

This catastrophe highlights the dangers faced by civil aviation amidst ongoing conflicts. Historical precedents, including the downing of multiple flights in similar contexts, stress the need for caution in war-affected regions.

Context of the Drone War

The incident occurred near Grozny, which is over 850 km from the front lines in Ukraine yet remains a target for Ukrainian drones behind Russian lines. Russia uses advanced jamming equipment to disrupt drone operations and has numerous air defense systems deployed.

Andrew Nicholson, CEO of Osprey Flight Solutions, remarked on the complexities of civilian aircraft navigating such volatile airspace. The plane was rerouted due to fog and threats from Ukrainian drones, although the captain had options for alternative airports but opted for Aktau.

Rosaviatsia stated it would assist Kazakh and Azerbaijani investigations into the crash. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov refrained from commenting on allegations of Russian air defenses being responsible, insisting on waiting for the investigation's findings.