A passenger plane from Azerbaijan Airlines tragically crashed near Aktau city, Kazakhstan, on December 25, 2024, after experiencing severe mechanical difficulties. The Embraer 190, operating flight J2-8243 from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Russia, was rerouted due to heavy fog in Grozny, forcing it to make an emergency landing near the Caspian Sea.
According to Kazakhstan’s Emergencies Ministry, the aircraft, which was carrying 62 passengers and 5 crew members, suffered a devastating crash after the pilots lost control. Preliminary reports suggest that 25 individuals survived the incident, with 22 of them hospitalized. Among the survivors, five are reportedly in intensive care.
Videos from the scene show the aircraft descending rapidly while banking to the right, before crashing into an open field and bursting into flames. The crash occurred near the airport, where the plane had circled several times, requesting an emergency landing. Reports indicate that the plane had been involved in a collision with a flock of birds and experienced a steering malfunction shortly before the crash. Despite the pilots’ desperate efforts to regain altitude, the aircraft stalled and ultimately lost control.
One video revealed the aircraft attempting to climb to a safer altitude before stalling and beginning to circle near the airport. Distress signals were reportedly transmitted just before the crash, which took place approximately three kilometers from Aktau. The aircraft’s registration number, 4K-AZ65, was confirmed by visuals from FlightRadar24.
Azerbaijan Airlines confirmed the details of the incident in a statement, noting that the plane had been diverted due to adverse weather conditions. “The Embraer 190 aircraft operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, flight J2-8243, made an emergency landing approximately three kilometers from Aktau,” the airline said. They assured the public that further information regarding the incident would be provided as investigations continue.
FlightRadar24 data indicates that the plane had been flying over the Caspian Sea and entered Russian airspace before experiencing GPS signal disruptions. The aircraft was reportedly exposed to “strong GPS jamming,” which resulted in faulty ADS-B data being transmitted. ADS-B, an advanced surveillance system, provides real-time tracking data for air traffic controllers and aircraft, allowing for more precise navigation and communication.
Emergency response teams were promptly dispatched to the crash site, and images showed ambulances at the scene as survivors were rescued from the wreckage. Some passengers were seen exiting the aircraft via emergency slides. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with aviation authorities working to determine whether the bird strike or mechanical issues played a pivotal role in the disaster.
The incident marks a tragic day for Azerbaijan Airlines and the aviation community. As authorities continue to analyze the circumstances, the survivors’ recovery remains a priority, while the public awaits more information regarding the fate of the victims and the full investigation into the crash.
More details to follow…