Possible Shoot-down – Fatal Accident (38) – Embraer ERJ-190AR, 4K-AZ65, 3 miles NW of Aktau Airport (SCO/UATE), Kazakhstan, December 25, 2024
OFFICIAL PRELIMINARY REPORT: Report Not Available Yet
OFFICIAL FINAL REPORT: Report Not Available Yet
SOURCE Report:
Azerbaijan Airlines flight J28243, an Embraer ERJ-190AR, crashed near Aktau Airport in Kazakhstan after declaring an emergency. Flightradar24 data reveals fluctuating altitude and speed during the flight, and there are conflicting reports regarding the number of people onboard. The airline stated that there were five crew members and 62 passengers, while the Ministry of Emergencies reported 29 survivors, with 11 in serious condition.
The flight departed Baku International Airport (GYD) in Azerbaijan at 03:55 UTC, en route to Grozny Airport (GRV) in Russia, a flight typically taking about an hour. According to Kazakh media, citing a spokesperson from Grozny Airport, the flight was unable to land at GRV due to low visibility. At 05:02 UTC, there was overcast at 800 feet with visibility limited to 3500 meters due to fog. The flight then reportedly attempted to divert to Makhachkala Uytash Airport (MCX), but it is unclear whether it attempted a landing there. Between 05:00 UTC and 06:00 UTC, weather at MCX showed decreasing visibility from 6000 meters to 3600 meters, with an overcast cloud deck at about 2400 feet.
Flightradar24 ADS-B data stopped at 04:25 UTC, but resumed at 06:07 UTC when the aircraft appeared over the Caspian Sea, squawking 7700 (emergency). From 05:14 UTC, data shows fluctuating altitude and speed as the aircraft headed toward Aktau Airport. Local media reports indicated that Kazaeronavigatsiya stated the flight crew had reported issues with controlling the aircraft.
Videos depict the aircraft colliding with terrain in a right wing-low, nose-down attitude. The aircraft broke apart and caught fire, with post-accident images showing the main cabin area consumed by the fire. The tail section, which was free of fire damage, was found upside down, separate from the main wreckage.
Multiple videos, allegedly from flight J28243, have been shared on social media. They show the oxygen masks deployed in the cabin before the accident. A passenger, who survived the crash, was reportedly interviewed and described hearing an explosion during descent or approach. He also mentioned that shrapnel had pierced his life vest. Another in-flight video shows a hole in the left wing’s flap track fairing. Additionally, post-accident footage of the tail section revealed multiple small holes in the tailfin and horizontal stabilizer.
The Aviatioist Report:
Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243 Hit By Russian SAM, Azeri Authorities Claim
The WarZone:
Everything We Know About What Led Up To The Azerbaijan Airliner Crash
Aircraft Operator:
Azerbaijan Airlines
Video(s):
https://x.com/BNONews/status/1871821182066114873
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4YmtAKeGSg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMhMdzusIxM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tC4PfOSdyO8&t=1s
https://tengrinews.kz/my-country/poyavilos-video-padeniya-samoleta-bliz-aktau-557931/
Accident Location:
3 miles NW of Aktau Airport (SCO/UATE), Kazakhstan
43°52’51.61″N 51° 0’29.10″E (https://g.co/kgs/PRw7Whe)
ASN:
https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/468275
FAA/International Registration:
4K-AZ65
Year of Manufacture:
2013
SN/Military Registration/BUNO:
13274
NTSB:
n/a
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1AjWQq7gBk/
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1LZwxCbgjf/
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17FS83WpZ6/
https://www.facebook.com/@AzerbaijanAirlines/
X/Twitter (reports+videos):
https://x.com/flightradar24/status/1871881606627217768
https://x.com/flightradar24/status/1871835753157939640
https://x.com/BNONews/status/1871821182066114873
ADS-B Exchange:
n/a
FlightAware:
n/a
flightradar24:
n/a
AirNav.radar:
https://www.airnavradar.com/data/registration/4K-AZ65
National Report(s):
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgq1zdj858qo
https://tengrinews.kz/kazakhstan_news/krushenie-samoleta-v-aktau-poyavilis-novyie-kadryi-557945/
Local Report(s):
https://www.centralfifetimes.com/news/24814893.kinglassie-plane-crash-man-dies-light-aircraft-incident/
https://tengrinews.kz/kazakhstan_news/krushenie-samoleta-v-aktau-poyavilis-novyie-kadryi-557945/
Image Reference(s):
Press service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Kazakhstan
https://www.instagram.com/fl360aero/p/DD_wRiFMdGO/?img_index=3
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