Crashed Azerbaijani aircraft was riddled with holes, damaged by 'external objects': Report

The Russia-bound Azerbaijan Airlines plane, which crashed near the Kazakh city of Aktau in December last year, killing 38 people, was likely damaged by “external objects” before the tragedy, according to a preliminary report by the Kazakhstan authorities published on Tuesday.

On December 25, 2024, the AZAL Embraer 190 jet, carrying 62 passengers and five crew members on board, was travelling from Baku to Grozny when it disappeared from the radar near the Caspian Sea coast in Russia. Later on, it re-appeared and crashed near Aktau in Kazakhstan.

The passenger plane was diverted from Russia to Kazakhstan and crashed near Aktau after re-routing across the Caspian Sea from southern Russia.

What preliminary report suggests?

The 53-page report, published by Kazakhstan's transport ministry, included photographs showing the plane with numerous holes.

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The report stated that the damage caused by these objects led to a loss of hydraulic fluid and pressure, as well as the failure of the stabilizer.

Experts are currently analysing fragments of "foreign objects" found in the fuselage.

Key findings

As per Kazakhstan's investigation, the crew had informed air traffic control in Russia’s Grozny about losing the GPS signal. Shortly after, they lost control of the plane.

The report mentions that the plane had "various shapes and sizes of damage in the tail section" and similar damage was found on the left engine and wing.

Speculations

Azerbaijani media, citing anonymous officials in Baku, reported in December that early findings suggest the plane was hit by a missile from a Russian Pantsir-S air defence system as it neared Grozny. Western experts have also indicated that the plane was likely shot at from Russia.

Initially, Russia claimed the plane had diverted from its route after colliding with a flock of birds. However, Russia later admitted that its air defence systems were active on the day of the crash and were engaged in repelling a Ukrainian drone attack. Despite this, Moscow stopped short of accepting responsibility for the crash.

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Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev earlier called on Russia to admit it fired at the plane and accused Moscow of trying to cover up the cause of the crash, marking a rare and direct accusation against his country's traditional ally.

FAQs:

1. How many people were killed during the December 25 crash?
In total, 38 people were killed when the Azerbaijan Airlines passenger aircraft crashed on December 25 near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan.

2. How did the plane go off course?
The report does not explain why the plane went off course.