AZAL crash investigation timeline still unclear

The completion date of the investigation into the causes of the plane crash of the Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 aircraft, which was flying from Baku to Grozny and crashed near Aktau, depends on the completion of all scheduled studies and work.

1news.media reports that this is stated in a statement by the Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan.

"In accordance with the provisions of ICAO Annex 13, the sole purpose of the investigation of the aviation accident is to prevent similar incidents in the future," the statement said.

The institution notes that in addition to the investigation conducted by the Aviation Accident Investigation Commission established by the Ministry of Transport, a criminal investigation is also being conducted by the law enforcement agencies of Kazakhstan:

"The completion date of the investigation into the aviation accident depends on the completion of all scheduled studies and work. The causes of the incident or factors affecting it, as well as recommendations on flight safety, will be reflected in the final report."

Recall that on December 25, 2024, an Embraer 190 aircraft belonging to Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) crashed 3 km from the Kazakh city of Aktau while performing a Baku-Grozny flight.

According to preliminary investigation data, the aircraft was attacked by the Russian Pantsir-S air defense system while approaching Grozny. In addition, as a result of the use of radio-electronic warfare equipment by the Russian side, the communication system of the Azerbaijani aircraft was completely paralyzed. As a result, the aircraft disappeared from radar in Russian airspace.

A total of 67 people were on board the aircraft - 42 Azerbaijanis (37 passengers, 5 crew members), 16 Russians, 6 Kazakhs, and 3 Kyrgyz citizens. As a result of the accident, 38 people died, 29 survived. The aircraft's commander, Igor Kshnyakin, co-pilot Alexander Kalyaninov, and stewardess Hokuma Aliyeva lost their lives in the crash.