Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243 crashes in Kazakhstan

It is very sad when a plane crashes any time of the year, it is absolutely horrific when it crashes on Christmas day.

An Azerbaijan Airlines flight traveling from Baku-Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD/UBBB) to Grozny Airport (GRV/URMG) has crashed near Aktau Airport, Kazakhstan, after declaring an emergency. Flightradar24 indicate the aircraft experienced fluctuating altitude and speed. There are conflicting reports regarding the number of people on board. According to the airline, there were 5 crew members and 62 passengers. Information from the Ministry of Emergencies states that 29 survivors were taken to the hospital, with 11 in serious condition, but sadly 38 people lost their lives.

Flight J28243 departed from Baku International Airport in Azerbaijan at 03:55 UTC, heading to Grozny Airport in Russia, a journey that typically takes about one hour. A spokesperson from Grozny Airport, reported that the flight was unable to land at GRV due to low visibility. At 05:02 UTC, there was an overcast cloud deck at 800 feet with visibility reduced to 3500 meters in fog.

The flight then reportedly attempted to divert to Makhachkala Uytash Airport (MCX/URML). It is unclear if the flight attempted to land there. Weather conditions between 05:00 UTC and 06:00 UTC at MCX showed visibility decreasing from 6000 meters to 3600 meters with an overcast cloud deck at approximately 2400 feet.

Flightradar24 ADS-B data ceased at 04:25 UTC and reappeared at 06:07 UTC when the flight was observed over the Caspian Sea, squawking 7700 (emergency). Altitude and speed data from 05:14 UTC indicated fluctuating altitude and speed as the aircraft headed towards Aktau Airport. According to local media, the flight crew reported difficulties in controlling the aircraft.

Videos posted online indicate that the aircraft collided with the terrain in a right-wing low, nose-down attitude. The aircraft disintegrated and a fire erupted. Post-accident photographs reveal that the main cabin area was consumed by the ensuing fire. The tail section came to be upside down, away from main wreck, and was free of fire damage.

Multiple videos being shared on social media show the oxygen masks had dropped in the cabin at some point before the accident. A passenger stated that he heard an explosion during the descent or approach and observed that shrapnel had perforated his life vest.

Furthermore, post-accident video footage of the tail section shows multiple small holes in the tailfin as well the horizontal stabilizer, indicating the aircraft had been shot at.

UPDATE

As more details emerge about the crash of the Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer E190AR at Aktau suspicions are growing that the aircraft’s loss may have been the result of battle damage caused by a Russian Surface to Air Missile (SAM) or anti-aircraft artillery (AAA).

Aircraft Information:

Airline: Azerbaijan Airlines

Code: J2/AHY

Aircraft: Embraer E190AR

Registration: 4K-AZ65

Serial Number: 19000630

Engines: 2 x GE CF34-10E6

First Flew: June 2013

Age: 11.5 Years

THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE IMMEDIATE FAMILIES AND FRIENDS