Azerbaijan Airlines Blames External Interference For Deadly Crash.
Azerbaijan Airlines has attributed the tragic crash of its Embraer jet in Kazakhstan on 25 December to “physical and technical external interference,” according to preliminary findings. The incident, which occurred 3km short of Aktau airport’s runway, claimed 38 lives, with 29 passengers surviving the ordeal.
The aircraft had initially attempted to land at Grozny airport in southern Russia but was diverted to Kazakhstan following reports of an explosion. Witnesses recount hearing a blast before the diversion, adding to speculation surrounding the crash.
Russia’s civil aviation agency cited “very complicated” conditions in Grozny at the time, including a closed-skies protocol triggered by alleged Ukrainian drone strikes on civilian infrastructure. Dmitry Yadrov, head of Rosaviatsia, explained that these factors necessitated the immediate departure of all aircraft from the Grozny area. Dense fog further compounded the situation.
While Azerbaijan Airlines refrained from detailing the interference, aviation experts in Azerbaijan believe shrapnel from a Russian air-defence missile may have damaged the plane’s hydraulic system. Veteran pilot Tahir Agaguliev suggested that fragments from a missile explosion could have compromised the aircraft’s control systems.
Flight attendant Zulfuqar Asadov, who survived the crash, shared harrowing details of the incident, stating, “The plane was hit by some kind of external strike. The impact caused panic inside. We tried to calm the passengers, but a second strike injured my arm.”
In response to the crash, Azerbaijan Airlines has suspended flights to seven Russian cities, citing security concerns. These include Sochi, Volgograd, Ufa, Samara, and Mineralnye Vody, alongside earlier suspensions of flights to Grozny and Makhachkala.
Israel’s El Al has also halted flights to Moscow, citing escalating risks in Russian airspace. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials have called for Russia to be held accountable for the tragedy, although the Kremlin has refrained from commenting, pending the investigation’s conclusions.
Azerbaijan has called for an international inquiry into the crash, rejecting proposals from Russia and Kazakhstan for a regional investigation led by the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). The government in Baku appears determined to avoid any inquiry dominated by former Soviet countries.
Vigils have been held in Azerbaijan to honour the heroic pilots, who managed to land part of the damaged aircraft, saving lives despite losing their own in the crash. Kazakh authorities continue to treat the injured and are cooperating with Azerbaijan on the investigation, though details remain scarce.
This incident has cast a shadow over aviation safety in the region, highlighting the complexities of operating in volatile airspace.
