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{{Short description|2024 aviation accident}} {{Short description|2024 aviation accident in Aktau, Kazakhstan}}
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{{current|date=December 2024}} {{Use British English|date=December 2024}}
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{{Infobox aircraft occurrence {{Infobox aircraft occurrence
| name = Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243 | name = Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243
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| image_upright = 1.15 | image_upright = 1.15
| alt = | alt =
| caption = The aircraft involved, seen on 18 June 2016 | caption = 4K-AZ65, the aircraft involved in the accident
| occurrence_type = Occurrence<!-- Do not change the occurrence type unless a consensus was developed on the talk page to do so. -->
| occurrence_type = Crash
| date = {{start date|2024|12|25|df=y}} | date = {{start date|df=y|2024|12|25}}
| summary = Crashed on approach | summary = Crashed on approach during ] after control failure, under investigation
| site = Near ], Kazakhstan | site = Near ], Aktau, Kazakhstan
| coordinates = <!--{{coord|LAT|LON|type:event|display = inline,title}} --> | coordinates = {{Wikidatacoord|Q131552728|type:event_region:KZ-MAN|display=inline,title}}
| aircraft_type = ] | aircraft_type = ]
| aircraft_name = '']'' | aircraft_name = '']''
| operator = ] | operator = ]
| IATA = J28243 | IATA = J28243
| ICAO = AHY8243 | ICAO = AHY8243
| callsign = | callsign = AZAL 8243
| tail_number = 4K-AZ65
| tail_number = 4K-AZ65<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Accident Embraer ERJ-190AR 4K-AZ65, Wednesday 25 December 2024 |url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/468275 |access-date=2024-12-25 |website=Aviation Safety Network}}</ref>
| origin = ], ], Azerbaijan | origin = ], Baku, Azerbaijan
| destination = ], ], Russia | destination = ], Chechnya, Russia
| occupants = 67 | occupants = 67
| passengers = 62 | passengers = 62
| crew = 5 | crew = 5
| fatalities = ≈39<ref name="sky"/> | fatalities = 38
| survivors = ≈28<ref name="sky"/>| | injuries = 29
| survivors = 29
| missing =
}} }}
{{Campaignbox Russian invasion of Ukraine}}
'''Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243''' was a scheduled international passenger flight from ] to ] operated by ] which crashed near ], Kazakhstan, on 25 December 2024 with 67 people on board, according to local sources.<ref name="sky">{{Cite web |title=Azerbaijan Airlines plane crashes near Kazakhstan's Aktau airport |url=https://news.sky.com/story/azerbaijan-airlines-crashes-near-kazakhstans-aktau-airport-13279720 |access-date=2024-12-25 |website=Sky News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Azerbaijan Airlines plane crashes in Kazakhstan |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjwl1e6895qo |access-date=2024-12-25 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |work=Reuters |date=2024-12-25 |title=Passenger plane crashes in Kazakhstan, emergencies ministry says |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/25/kazakhstan-plane-crash-aktau-azerbaijan-airlines-baku-grozny-fog-chechnya |access-date=2024-12-25 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Russian news agencies said that the plane had been flying from Baku to Grozny in Russia’s Chechnya, but had been rerouted due to fog in Grozny. The plane was an ], and reportedly ] on its transponder which signaled an emergency had occurred on board, while flying over the Caspian Sea.<ref>{{Cite web |agency=AFP |title=Azerbaijan Airlines Plane Crashes In Kazakhstan |url=https://www.barrons.com/news/azerbaijan-airlines-plane-crashes-in-kazakhstan-0f1c7abd |access-date=2024-12-25 |work=Barron’s |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-25 |title=Azerbaijan Airlines plane carrying 67 passengers crashes near Aktau during emergency landing |url=https://www.dimsumdaily.hk/azerbaijan-airlines-plane-carrying-67-passengers-crashes-near-aktau-during-emergency-landing/ |access-date=2024-12-25 |work=Dimsum Daily |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="cnn">{{cite news|last=Tayir|first=Hassan|last2=Vlasova|first2=Svitlana|last3=Butenko|first3=Victoria|last4=Lilieholm|first4=Lucas|last5=Szekeres|first5=Edward|title=Plane carrying 67 people crashes in Kazakhstan, officials say; more than 20 survive|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/12/25/asia/passenger-plane-crashes-kazakhstan-intl-hnk/index.html|website=CNN|date=25 December 2024|accessdate=25 December 2024}}</ref> Twenty-eight of the passengers survived the crash.<ref name=interfax>{{Cite web |title=Survivors of the Aktau plane crash were sitting in the tail section of the plane |url=https://www.interfax.ru/russia/1000530 |access-date=25 December 2024 |website=www.interfax.ru}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Azerbaijan Airlines plane crashes in Kazakhstan, many feared dead
|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/passenger-plane-crashes-kazakhstan-emergencies-ministry-says-2024-12-25/|access-date=25 December 2024 |website=www.reuters.com}}</ref>


'''Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243''' was a scheduled ] from ] in ], Azerbaijan, to ] near ], Russia. On 25 December 2024, the ] operating the ] flight was severely damaged by what is believed to be a Russian ] during the aircraft's approach to Grozny. The aircraft attempted to divert but ultimately crashed near ] in Kazakhstan with 62 passengers and 5 crew on board. Of those 67 people, 38 died in the accident, including both of the pilots and a flight attendant, while 29 people survived with injuries.
== Aircraft ==


Approximately 40 minutes after takeoff, as the aircraft entered Russian airspace and neared Grozny, the crew reported losing GPS navigational aids, due to ]. Foggy conditions were also reported by the airport. As the plane approached its destination, 81 minutes into the flight, passengers reported an explosion and ] striking the aircraft. In radio transmissions, the pilots attributed the explosion to a ] and requested a diversion. They initiated emergency protocols, including ] on the transponder, and redirected the flight over the ] toward Aktau.
The aircraft involved was an ] registered as 4K-AZ65 manufactured in 2013. It was powered by two ] CF34-10E6 engines. It was operated by Azerbaijan Airlines.<ref name=asn>{{cite web |last1=Ranter |first1=Harro |title=Accident Embraer ERJ-190AR 4K-AZ65, Wednesday 25 December 2024 |url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/468275 |website=asn.flightsafety.org |access-date=25 December 2024}}</ref>


However, images from the crash scene revealed perforated holes in the tail section, damage that experts deemed inconsistent with a bird strike but resembling the impact of a surface-to-air missile.<ref name="Türkiye Today 2024" /> On 26 December ] reported that, citing Azerbaijani government sources, the plane had been hit mid-flight by a Russian missile during efforts to repel a Ukrainian drone attack on Grozny Airport. Shrapnel from the blast injured several passengers and cabin crew.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-26 |title=Exclusive: Preliminary investigation confirms Russian missile caused Azerbaijan Airlines crash |url=https://www.euronews.com/2024/12/26/exclusive-preliminary-investigation-confirms-russian-missile-over-grozny-caused-aktau-cras |website=Euronews |language=en |access-date=26 December 2024 |archive-date=26 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241226124848/https://www.euronews.com/2024/12/26/exclusive-preliminary-investigation-confirms-russian-missile-over-grozny-caused-aktau-cras |url-status=live }}</ref> On 27 December, '']'' reported that Azerbaijani investigators believed a Russian ] air-defence system had damaged the plane before it crashed.<ref name=NYT-banging />
== Crash ==
The plane took off from ] at 8:00 ] (]) on a flight to ].<ref name=asn/>
The crew gave a distress signal at 8:35 ] (]) and reported a failure of the control system.<ref name=interfax/> Then at 8:49, the pilots requested an emergency landing in Aktau and tried to make it in direct mode. However, at 9:28, the airplane impacted the ground. The crash was captured on video, which showed that the landing gear was deployed when the plane impacted the ground.<ref name=interfax/>


On 28 December Russian President ] apologised to the President of Azerbaijan, ], for the "tragic incident" involving the aircraft in Russian airspace. He stated that Ukrainian drones had been targeting Grozny at the time and that Russian air defences had repelled these attacks, but he did not confirm that the flight had been shot down or acknowledge Russian responsibility.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-28 |title=Putin apologizes for Azerbaijan Airlines crash without saying Russia at fault |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/putin-apologizes-for-azerbaijan-airlines-crash-without-saying-russia-at-fault/ |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=Politico |language=en-GB |archive-date=28 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241228162410/https://www.politico.eu/article/putin-apologizes-for-azerbaijan-airlines-crash-without-saying-russia-at-fault/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On 29 December, President Aliyev said that Russia had accidentally shot down the plane, accused Russia of attempting to obfuscate and "hush up" the crash, and demanded a full admission of guilt, punishment for those responsible, and compensation for the victims and their families.<ref name="aliyev" />
== Occupants by nationality ==

== Accident ==
{{Maplink|frame=yes|type=data|text= ] tracking data of the flight in red with its origin (]) marked by the blue airport icon, its intended destination (]) by the grey airport icon, and the crash site (near ]) by the red fire icon. There is a large gap in the data which begins before the ] to Grozny; the aircraft's signal was not reacquired until it neared the Caspian Sea coast of Kazakhstan.<ref name="Flightradar24" /> (])|frame-height=275|frame-long=48.8|frame-lat=42.3|zoom=6|from=Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243.map}}

The aircraft took off from ], Baku, at 07:55 AZT (]){{efn|All times referenced to ] (AZT, ])}} on a flight to ].<ref name="bbc-20241226">{{cite news |last=Astier |first=Henri |date=26 December 2024 |title=Russia warns against 'hypotheses' after Azerbaijan Airlines crash |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgp3qx0q7wo |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241226120408/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgp3qx0q7wo |archive-date=26 December 2024 |access-date=26 December 2024 |work=BBC News}}</ref>

Approximately 40 minutes after takeoff, as the aircraft entered Russian airspace near Grozny, the crew reported to air traffic control that it had lost GPS navigational aids. At the same time, the aircraft’s ] signal, a system used for real-time aircraft tracking, also disappeared.<ref name="mt">{{Cite news |date=25 December 2024 |title=38 Killed After Azerbaijan Airlines Plane Crashes in Kazakhstan |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/12/25/38-killed-after-azerbaijan-airlines-plane-crashes-in-kazakhstan-a87449 |access-date=25 December 2024 |work=The Moscow Times}}</ref><ref name="Flightradar24" /> These occurrences strongly indicate that the aircraft was subjected to "]."<ref name="ap" /> Such interference is prohibited under international regulations established by the ] and the ],<ref name="eleven">{{cite web |author=Ingo Baumann, Erik Pellander |date= |title=GNSS Jamming and Spoofing under National and International Law |url=https://www.elevenjournals.com/tijdschrift/iisl/2020/4%20Application%20of%20Space%20Law%20to%20Cyber%20Activities/IISL_2020_063_004_004.pdf |accessdate=28 December 2024 |publisher=Eleven international publishing}}</ref> both of which count Russia as a member. Despite these regulations, GPS jamming has been employed by the Russian military to counter Ukrainian drone operations. GPS jamming has become a recurring issue for flights and is frequently encountered when entering Russian airspace.<ref name="gps">{{Cite news |date=1 October 2023 |title='GPS jamming quite routine on long-haul flights, spoofing isn't instantly apparent' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/gps-jamming-quite-routine-on-long-haul-flights-spoofing-isnt-instantly-apparent/articleshow/104077316.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241226000645/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/gps-jamming-quite-routine-on-long-haul-flights-spoofing-isnt-instantly-apparent/articleshow/104077316.cms |archive-date=26 December 2024 |access-date=26 December 2024 |work=] |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

According to ATC transcripts, without GPS, the crew requested a ] approach to runway 26. They were cleared to approach at 08:50 AZT (07:50 ], local time in Grozny), but due to the fog, the crew aborted the landing and initiated a go-around. They were cleared for a second landing attempt at 09:10 AZT (08:10 MSK), but again due to the fog, the crew aborted the landing and the crew informed controllers that they would be returning to Baku.<ref name="ASN">{{Cite web |last=Ranter |first=Harro |title=Unlawful Interference Embraer ERJ-190AR 4K-AZ65, Wednesday 25 December 2024 |url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/468275 |access-date=2025-01-01 |website=asn.flightsafety.org}}<!-- Ref note: Despite the user-generated content proviso at the top of the page, the change log at the bottom of the page shows that the ASN staff has been heavily involved in overseeing the editing of the entry. --></ref>

As the plane departed Grozny, passengers reported an explosion and ] striking the aircraft.<ref name="bbc-20241226" /> At 09:16 AZT the crew reported a "control failure" due to a "] in the cockpit."<ref name="Ulysmedia">{{cite news |last1=Duman |first1=Galiaskar |date=25 December 2024 |title=Ақтаудағы ұшақ апаты: экипаж бен диспетчердің сөйлескендері жарияланды |trans-title=Aktau plane crash: conversations between crew and dispatcher published |url=https://qaz.ulysmedia.kz/news/24189-aktaudagy-ushak-apaty-ekipazh-ben-dispetcherdin-soileskenderi-zhariialandy/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241227142900/https://qaz.ulysmedia.kz/news/24189-aktaudagy-ushak-apaty-ekipazh-ben-dispetcherdin-soileskenderi-zhariialandy/ |archive-date=27 December 2024 |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=Ulysmedia.kz |language=kk}}</ref> They asked to divert to ], but upon hearing the weather, asked instead to divert to ] in ]. Shortly after, at 09:22 AZT, the crew reported a hydraulics failure.<ref name="Ulysmedia" /> Air traffic controllers told the crew not to attempt a landing in Makhachkala due to poor weather.<ref name="The Aviation Herald" /><ref name="NBC">{{Cite news |last1=Medvedeva |first1=Lena |last2=Peart |first2=Hannah |date=25 December 2024 |title=Dozens killed as passenger plane crashes in Kazakhstan |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/azerbaijan-airlines-passenger-plane-crashes-aktau-kazakhstan-rcna183561 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225195258/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/azerbaijan-airlines-passenger-plane-crashes-aktau-kazakhstan-rcna183561 |archive-date=25 December 2024 |access-date=25 December 2024 |work=]}}</ref> The crew issued a distress signal by ] at 09:25, reporting a failure of the control system.<ref name="interfax">{{Cite news |date=25 December 2024 |title=Выжившие в авиакатастрофе в Актау сидели в хвостовой части самолета |trans-title=Survivors of the Aktau plane crash were sitting in the tail section of the plane |url=https://www.interfax.ru/russia/1000530 |access-date=25 December 2024 |work=] |language=ru}}</ref> At 09:27 AZT, the flight was instructed to contact the Rostov ].<ref name="ASN" />

At 09:49 the pilots requested an emergency landing at ] and attempted to manage the approach in ],<ref name="guardian">{{Cite news |last=Kassam |first=Ashifa |date=25 December 2024 |title=Officials report 29 survivors and 38 killed as plane crashes in Kazakhstan |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/25/kazakhstan-plane-crash-aktau-azerbaijan-airlines-baku-grozny-fog-chechnya |access-date=25 December 2024 |work=] |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> with the estimated landing time set for 10:25 (11:25 ] AQTT, ]).<ref name="Government of Kazakhstan Press">{{Cite report |url=https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/emer/press/news/details/909151?lang=kk |title=Ақтау қаласындағы ұшақ апаты: жаңартылған ақпарат (сағат 14.10-дегі жағдай бойынша) |trans-title=Plane crash in Aktau: updated information (as of 14.10 hour) |date=25 December 2024 |publisher=] |language=kk |access-date=27 December 2024 |via=gov.kz |archive-date=26 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241226202023/https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/emer/press/news/details/909151?lang=kk |url-status=live }}</ref> At 10:00 (11:00 AQTT), the Emergency Situations Department of the Mangystau Region sent emergency response teams and resources to Aktau airport.<ref name="Government of Kazakhstan Press" />

The plane entered Kazakh airspace at 10:02,<ref name="chronology">{{Cite news |last=Aisultan |first=Arman |date=26 December 2024 |title=Chronology of the Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash near Aktau |url=https://en.inform.kz/news/chronology-of-the-azerbaijan-airlines-plane-crash-near-aktau-b42249/ |access-date=26 December 2024 |work=]}}</ref> reappearing on ADS-B at 10:07 while flying over the ] towards Aktau.<ref name="guardian" /><ref name="Flightradar24"/> Altitude and speed data from ADS-B transmissions indicated the aircraft experienced ].<ref name="Flightradar24">{{Cite news |first=Ian |last=Petchenik |title=Azerbaijan Airlines E190 crashes near Aktau |url=https://www.flightradar24.com/blog/azerbaijan-airlines-e190-crashes-near-aktau/ |date=25 December 2024 |access-date=25 December 2024 |work=]}}</ref>

Unable to land at the first attempt, the aircraft initiated a ] manoeuvre to re-position for another runway approach.<ref name="turns">{{Cite news |last=Zeynalova |first=Gyunel |date=26 December 2024 |title=Kazakh Transport Ministry: AZAL plane made two turns in airspace before crash |url=https://report.az/en/incident/kazakh-transport-ministry-azal-plane-made-two-turns-in-airspace-before-crash/ |access-date=26 December 2024 |work=Report News Agency}}</ref> As it was making a third turn, at 10:28, communication between the pilots and air traffic control was lost.<ref name="Tengrinews">{{Cite news |date=27 December 2024 |title=Қайғылы оқиғаға дейін: Ақтау әуежайы қалай ұшақты қондыруға тырысқаны белгілі болды |trans-title=Before the tragedy: How Aktau Airport tried to make the plane landing |url=https://kaz.tengrinews.kz/my-country/kaygyilyi-okigaga-deyn-aktau-auejayyi-kalay-ushaktyi-364410/ |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=Tengrinews.kz |language=kk |archive-date=27 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241227042550/https://kaz.tengrinews.kz/my-country/kaygyilyi-okigaga-deyn-aktau-auejayyi-kalay-ushaktyi-364410/ |url-status=live }}</ref> At 10:30, the airliner struck the ground {{Convert|3|km|mi nmi|spell=in}} from the airport,<ref name="chronology" /> with its right wing hitting first.<ref name="Airways News">{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=Edward |date=25 December 2024 |title=Azerbaijan Airlines E190 Crashes in Kazakhstan |url=https://www.airwaysmag.com/new-post/azerbaijan-airlines-e190-crashes-in-kazakhstan |access-date=26 December 2024 |work=] |archive-date=25 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225154049/https://www.airwaysmag.com/new-post/azerbaijan-airlines-e190-crashes-in-kazakhstan |url-status=live }}</ref> It then tumbled, exploded, and broke into two major pieces. The explosion, combined with the fire that broke out after the plane crashed, destroyed the front section of the plane.<ref name="Airways News" /><ref name="AP News 2024" /> The tail section of the plane came to rest upside down away from the main wreckage, and remained largely intact.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Nechepurenko |first=Ivan |author-link=Ivan Nechepurenko |date=25 December 2024 |title=Azerbaijan Airlines Jet Crashes in Kazakhstan, Killing Dozens |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/25/world/europe/kazakhstan-plane-crash.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225084724/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/25/world/europe/kazakhstan-plane-crash.html |archive-date=25 December 2024 |access-date=25 December 2024 |work=The New York Times |quote=One photograph appeared to show the tail of the plane largely intact, though it had been separated from the fuselage.}}</ref><ref name="Airways News" /> The crash was captured on video, which showed that the landing gear was deployed when the plane hit the ground.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Santos |first1=Sofia Ferreira |last2=Khalilova |first2=Konul |date=26 December 2024 |title=Dozens survive Kazakhstan passenger plane crash |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjwl1e6895qo |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=]}}</ref><ref name="Airways News" /> In response, additional resources and personnel from the Emergency Situations Department, initially stationed at the Aktau airport, arrived at the scene at 10:35 and were deployed at an elevated emergency rank, extinguishing the fire by 11:05 AZT (12:05 AQTT).<ref name="Government of Kazakhstan Press" /><ref name="Gov.kz urgent information">{{Cite report |url=https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/emer/press/news/details/909841?lang=kk |title=Ақтаудағы ұшақ апатының салдарын жою туралы жедел ақпарат |trans-title=Operational information on the elimination of the consequences of the air crash in Aktau |date=26 December 2024 |publisher=Kazakhstan Ministry of Emergency Situations |language=kk |access-date=27 December 2024 |via=gov.kz }}</ref><ref name="chronology" /> A surviving crew member said that the pilots initially ordered them to prepare for a water landing before changing to a ground landing.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 December 2024 |title=Surviving cabin crew member of crashed AZAL plane: While flying over Grozny, the sound of an impact was heard |url=https://en.apa.az/incident/surviving-cabin-crew-member-of-crashed-azal-plane-while-flying-over-grozny-the-sound-of-an-impact-was-heard-456792 |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=]}}</ref>

Of the 67 people on board, 29 survived, and 38 died.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Gordeyeva |first1=Mariya |last2=Stolyarov |first2=Gleb |last3=Bagirova |first3=Nailia |date=25 December 2024 |title=Russian air-defense system downed Azerbaijan plane, sources say |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/passenger-plane-crashes-kazakhstan-emergencies-ministry-says-2024-12-25/ |access-date=25 December 2024 |work=] }}</ref><ref name="The Aviation Herald">{{Cite web |last=Hradecky |first=Simon |date=25 December 2024 |title=Accident: Azerbaijan E190 near Aktau on Dec 25th 2024, touched down off runway |url=https://avherald.com/h?article=521fd4fb&opt=0 |access-date=25 December 2024 |website=The Aviation Herald |archive-date=25 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225104145/https://avherald.com/h?article=521fd4fb&opt=0 |url-status=live }}</ref> The youngest fatality was a 13-year-old boy.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Emin |last=Shirvanzade |date=28 December 2024 |title=13-year-old Mahammadali Yeganov, victim of plane crash, laid to rest in Baku|url=https://en.apa.az/incident/13-year-old-mahammadali-yeganov-victim-of-plane-crash-laid-to-rest-in-baku-photo-456847 |access-date=29 December 2024 |work=]}}</ref> Of the five crew members aboard, two flight attendants survived, and both pilots and one flight attendant were killed.<ref name="crew">{{cite news |date=26 December 2024 |title=Three crew members survive AZAL plane crash in Aktau |url=https://caliber.az/en/post/three-crew-members-survive-azal-plane-crash-in-aktau |access-date=26 December 2024 |work=caliber.az }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |language=az |title=7 nəfərin şəxsiyyəti müəyyənləşdi - Aralarında Hökümə də var |trans-title=The identities of 7 people have been determined - including Hokume |url=https://qafqazinfo.az/news/detail/7-neferin-sexsiyyeti-mueyyenlesdi-aralarinda-hokume-de-var-457259 |date=26 December 2024 |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=Qafqazinfo }}</ref> Authorities said all of the fatalities occurred at the scene.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Vahid |first1=Firuza |last2=Hamidov |first2=Suleyman |date=26 December 2024 |title=Azerbaijan's Consul General: None died either on the way or in the hospital following the plane crash |url=https://en.apa.az/social/azerbaijans-consul-general-none-died-either-on-the-way-or-in-the-hospital-following-the-plane-crash-456631 |access-date=26 December 2024 |work=]}}</ref> The 29 survivors, including two children, were hospitalised following the accident<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 December 2024 |title=Diaspora organization chairman: Some injured in plane crash are in critical condition, others in moderate-to-severe condition |url=https://en.apa.az/diaspora/diaspora-organization-chairman-some-injured-in-plane-crash-are-in-critical-condition-others-in-moderate-to-severe-condition-456514 |access-date=25 December 2024 |work=] |archive-date=25 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225170538/https://en.apa.az/diaspora/diaspora-organization-chairman-some-injured-in-plane-crash-are-in-critical-condition-others-in-moderate-to-severe-condition-456514 |url-status=live }}</ref> for injuries that included closed ], ], closed chest injuries, and ].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Temirgaliyeva |first=Arailym |date=26 December 2024 |title=Kazakh healthcare ministry reveals condition of AZAL plane crash survivors |url=https://en.inform.kz/news/kazakh-healthcare-ministry-reveals-condition-of-azal-plane-crash-survivors-314f20/ |access-date=26 December 2024 |work=] |archive-date=26 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241226100823/https://en.inform.kz/news/kazakh-healthcare-ministry-reveals-condition-of-azal-plane-crash-survivors-314f20/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Eleven of them were in critical condition.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Azeri |first=Farid |date=25 December 2024 |title=11 injured in AZAL plane crash in Aktau are in critical condition |url=https://en.apa.az/incident/11-injured-in-azal-plane-crash-in-aktau-are-in-critical-condition-456542 |access-date=25 December 2024 |work=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=25 December 2024 |title=List of injured in AZAL plane crash announced |url=https://report.az/en/incident/list-of-injured-in-azal-plane-crash-announced/ |access-date=25 December 2024 |work=] |archive-date=26 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241226045414/https://report.az/en/incident/list-of-injured-in-azal-plane-crash-announced/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Most of the survivors were believed to have been seated in the rear section of the aircraft.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Tom |last=Bennett |date=28 December 2024 |title=What we know about the Azerbaijan Airlines crash |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn4x3jwlewgo |access-date=28 December 2024 |work=] |archive-date=27 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241227212455/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn4x3jwlewgo |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Illyusia |first1=Mary |date=2024-12-28 |title=Putin apologizes for airline crash, does not take responsibility |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/12/28/putin-azerbaijan-airlines-plane-crash-russia/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |newspaper=The Washington Post |archive-date=28 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241228141100/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/12/28/putin-azerbaijan-airlines-plane-crash-russia/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Timeline of crash ===
{| class="wikitable" {| class="wikitable"
|+
|- style="background:#ccf;"
!style="width:130px;"|] (UTC+4)
!| Nationality || | Passengers || | Crew || | Fatalities || | Survivors || | Total
!Event
|- valign=top
|-
|Azerbaijan|| 37 || ? || ? || ? || ?
|'''07:55'''
|- valign=top
|'''Flight takes off'''<ref name=bbc-20241226/>
|Russia || 16 || ? || ? || ? || ?
|-
|- valign=top
|08:25
|Kazakhstan|| 6 || ? || ? || ? || ?
|Flight's ADS-B signal disappears<ref name="mt" /><ref name="Flightradar24" />
|- valign=top
|-
|Kyrgyzstan|| 3 || ? || ? || ? || ?
|08:36
|- valign=top
|Due to GPS signal loss, pilots request a ] approach from Grozny air control<ref name="ASN" />
| '''Total'''|| '''62'''<ref name="cnn"/> || '''5''' || '''42''' || '''25'''<ref name=interfax/> || '''67'''
|-
|08:50
|Flight cleared to make first landing attempt at Grozny<ref name="ASN" />
|-
|09:10
|Flight cleared to make second landing attempt at Grozny<ref name="ASN" />
|-
|09:16
|Pilots report a "loss of control due to ]", request weather report at ]<ref name="Ulysmedia" />

Passengers subsequently report an '''explosion around this time'''{{cn|date=January 2025}}
|-
|09:21
|Russian ] reportedly receives the closed-skies notification{{citation needed|date=December 2024}}
|-
|09:22
|Pilots report a "hydraulics failure"<ref name="Ulysmedia" />
|-
|'''09:25'''
|'''Pilots commence ]'''<ref name="interfax"/>
|-
|09:27
|Grozny air control instructs pilots to contact Rostov ]<ref name="ASN" />
|-
|09:49
|Pilots request ]<ref name="guardian"/>{{failed verification|reason=there is no mention of this in that source?|date=December 2024}}
|-
|10:00
|Emergency land response deployed<ref name="Government of Kazakhstan Press" />
|-
|10:02
|Flight enters Kazakhstan's airspace<ref name="chronology" />
|-
|10:07
|Flight's ADS-B signal reappears<ref name="guardian"/>
|-
|10:28
|Radio communication failure<ref name="Tengrinews" />
|-
|10:29
|Flight continues to ] the airport, attempting to land
|-
|'''10:30'''
|'''Flight collides with ground while attempting to land'''<ref name="turns" />
|-
|10:35
|Emergency responders arrive to the crash site<ref name="Gov.kz urgent information" />
|-
|11:05
|Emergency responders extinguish the fire and recover the victims<ref name="chronology" />
|-
|11:15
|Investigators search the wreckage for the ]s and the engines
|} |}


== Reactions == == Background ==
=== Aircraft ===
Serbian President ],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Serbian President extends condolences to Azerbaijan over plane crash|url=https://en.apa.az/official-news/serbian-president-extends-condolences-to-azerbaijan-over-plane-crash-456467|access-date=2024-12-25 |website=Apa.az |language=en}}</ref> Pakistani Prime Minister ],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif expresses condolences to Azerbaijan over plane crash |url=https://en.apa.az/foreign-policy/pakistani-prime-minister-shahbaz-sharif-expresses-condolences-to-azerbaijan-over-plane-crash-456472|access-date=2024-12-25 |website=Apa.az |language=en}}</ref>, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sadyr Japarov expresses condolences to Ilham Aliyev over plane crash in Aktau
The aircraft involved, which was manufactured in 2013, was an ], ] as 4K-AZ65, and named ''Gusar'' after the ].<ref name="Apa.az aircraft information">{{Cite news |date=25 December 2024 |title=Latest full technical control of aircraft, crashed near Aktau, conducted in October of this year |url=https://en.apa.az/social/latest-full-technical-control-of-aircraft-crashed-near-aktau-conducted-in-october-of-this-year-456555 |access-date=25 December 2024 |work=]}}</ref><ref name="Kommersant E190 description">{{Cite news |date=25 December 2024 |title=Технические данные самолета Embraer E-190, разбившегося в Казахстане |trans-title=Technical data of the Embraer E-190 that crashed in Kazakhstan |url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/7403099 |access-date=25 December 2024 |work=] |language=ru |archive-date=25 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225110030/https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/7403099 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was powered by two ]-10E6 engines,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kaminski-Morrow |first=David |date=25 December 2024 |title=Over 30 survive Azerbaijan Embraer 190 crash in Kazakhstan: ministry |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/safety/over-30-survive-azerbaijan-embraer-190-crash-in-kazakhstan-ministry/161221.article |access-date=25 December 2024 |work=] |archive-date=25 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225120156/https://www.flightglobal.com/safety/over-30-survive-azerbaijan-embraer-190-crash-in-kazakhstan-ministry/161221.article |url-status=live }}</ref> and underwent its last maintenance on 18 October 2024.<ref name="Apa.az aircraft information" /> It made its ] on 22 July 2013 and was owned by Azerbaijan Airlines. Since 2013, the aircraft was operated by the airline, except from 2017 to 2023, when it flew under the airline's subsidiary ].<ref name="Kommersant E190 description" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ferreira |first=Carlos |date=25 December 2024 |title=A maior parte dos sobreviventes do acidente com o Embraer no Cazaquistão estava sentada na cauda |trans-title=Most of the survivors of the Embraer crash in Kazakhstan were sitting in the tail |url=https://aeroin.net/a-maior-parte-dos-sobreviventes-do-acidente-com-o-embraer-no-cazaquistao-estava-sentada-na-cauda/ |access-date=26 December 2024 |work=Aeroin |language=pt-BR}}</ref> The aircraft was 11 years old at the time of the crash.<ref name="Airways News" />
|url=https://report.az/en/incident/sadyr-japarov-expresses-condolences-to-ilham-aliyev-over-plane-crash-in-aktau/|access-date=2024-12-25 |website=Report.az |language=en}}</ref>, Russian President ],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Russian President expresses condolences to Azerbaijani President over plane crash|url=https://en.apa.az/foreign-policy/russian-president-expresses-condolences-to-azerbaijani-president-over-plane-crash-456484|access-date=2024-12-25 |website=Apa.az |language=en}}</ref> Turkish President ]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan offers condolences following Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash in Aktau|url=https://en.apa.az/foreign-policy/turkish-president-recep-tayyip-erdogan-offers-condolences-following-azerbaijan-airlines-plane-crash-in-aktau-456482|website=Apa.az |language=en}}</ref> and the United States, United Kingdom<ref>{{Cite web |title=ABŞ və Böyük Britaniya səfirlikləri təyyarə qəzası ilə bağlı Azərbaycana başsağlığı verib |url=https://apa.az/xarici-siyaset/abs-ve-boyuk-britaniya-sefirlikleri-teyyare-qezasi-ile-bagli-azerbaycana-bassagligi-verib-882049 |access-date=2024-12-25 |website=Apa.az |language=az}}</ref> and French embassies,<ref>{{Cite web |title=French Embassy in Azerbaijan expresses condolences over plane crash in Aktau|url=https://report.az/en/foreign-politics/french-embassy-in-azerbaijan-expresses-condolences-over-plane-crash-in-aktau/ |access-date=2024-12-25 |website=Report.az |language=en}}</ref> Georgian<ref>{{Cite web |title=Georgian MFA expresses condolences to Azerbaijan over plane crash|url=https://en.apa.az/foreign-policy/georgian-mfa-expresses-condolences-to-azerbaijan-over-plane-crash-456476 |access-date=2024-12-25 |website=Report.az |language=en}}</ref> and Romanian MFA<ref>{{Cite web |title=Romanian FM expresses condolences to Azerbaijan over plane crash|url=https://en.apa.az/foreign-policy/romanian-fm-expresses-condolences-to-azerbaijan-over-plane-crash-456477|access-date=2024-12-25 |website=Report.az |language=en}}</ref> expressed their condolences to Azerbaijan over the plane crash.

=== Passengers and crew ===
The aircraft was carrying sixty-two passengers. Of those, thirty-seven people were citizens of Azerbaijan, sixteen of Russia, six of Kazakhstan, and three of Kyrgyzstan.<ref name="apa 2024" /> Four minors were on board.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 December 2024 |title=Four minors were on board crashed AZAL aircraft, reports say |url=https://report.az/en/region/four-minors-were-on-board-crashed-azal-aircraft-reports-say/ |access-date=25 December 2024 |work=Report News Agency |archive-date=25 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225161909/https://report.az/en/region/four-minors-were-on-board-crashed-azal-aircraft-reports-say/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The aircraft had a crew of five: two pilots and three flight attendants, all of whom were Azerbaijanis.<ref name="apa 2024">{{Cite news |last=Ismayilov |first=Emil |date=25 December 2024 |title=Number of casualties in plane crash near Aktau confirmed |url=https://en.apa.az/infrastructure/azal-releases-list-of-names-of-passengers-and-crew-members-on-the-crashed-aircraft-in-aktau-list-updated-456473 |access-date=25 December 2024 |work=] |archive-date=25 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225113044/https://en.apa.az/infrastructure/azal-releases-list-of-names-of-passengers-and-crew-members-on-the-crashed-aircraft-in-aktau-list-updated-456473 |url-status=live }}</ref> Captain ] was the ]<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 December 2024 |title=Kazaya uğrayan uçak son kontrolden ne zaman geçti? – Resmi̇ Açiklama |trans-title=When did the plane that suffered the accident pass its final inspection? – Official Statement |url=https://oxu.az/tr/gundem/kazaya-ugrayan-ucak-son-kontrolden-ne-zaman-gecti-resmi-aciklama |access-date=25 December 2024 |work=oxu.az |language=az |archive-date=26 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241226031738/https://oxu.az/tr/gundem/kazaya-ugrayan-ucak-son-kontrolden-ne-zaman-gecti-resmi-aciklama |url-status=live }}</ref> while his copilot was ] ]. Kshnyakin had over 15,000 hours of flight time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barabas |first=Peter |date=2024-12-26 |title=Pilots and crew of doomed Azerbaijan Airlines flight hailed as heroes |url=https://www.euronews.com/2024/12/26/as-more-details-over-azerbaijan-airlines-crash-emerge-captain-and-crew-are-hailed-as-heroe |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=euronews |language=en |archive-date=28 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241228014554/https://www.euronews.com/2024/12/26/as-more-details-over-azerbaijan-airlines-crash-emerge-captain-and-crew-are-hailed-as-heroe |url-status=live }}</ref> The pilots of the plane and flight attendant ] were buried at the ].<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 December 2024 |title=Crew members who lost their lives in the plane crash laid to rest in II Alley of Honor |url=https://en.apa.az/social/crew-members-who-lost-their-lives-in-the-plane-crash-laid-to-rest-in-ii-alley-of-honor-photo-report-updated-456944 |access-date=29 December 2024 |work=] |language=en}}</ref> President ] posthumously awarded them the title of ], while the two surviving crew members, Zulfiqar Asadov and Aydan Rahimli, were awarded the ].<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 December 2024 |title=President Ilham Aliyev awards crashed plane crew members the title of National Hero of Azerbaijan |url=https://en.apa.az/official-news/president-ilham-aliyev-awards-crashed-plane-crew-members-the-title-of-national-hero-of-azerbaijan-456960 |access-date=29 December 2024 |work=] |language=en}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right;"
|+ Nationalities
|-
! Country !! Passengers !! Crew !! Total
!Surviving<br>passengers!! Surviving<br>crew !! Reference
|-
|style="text-align:left;"| Azerbaijan || 37 || 5 || 42
|14 || 2 || <ref name=crew/><ref name="Azeri 2024">{{Cite news |last=Azeri |first=Farid |date=25 December 2024 |title=Number of Azerbaijani citizens, died in plane crash in Aktau, revealed |url=https://en.apa.az/incident/number-of-azerbaijani-citizens-died-in-plane-crash-in-aktau-revealed-456563 |access-date=26 December 2024 |work=]}}</ref><ref name="Rustamov 2024" /><ref name="NBC" />
|-
|style="text-align:left;"| Kazakhstan || 6 || {{n/a}} || 6
|{{n/a}} ||{{n/a}} || <ref>{{Cite report |url=https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/emer/press/news/details/909635?lang=kk |title=Ұшақ апаты кезінде қайтыс болған Қазақстан Республикасының азаматтары бойынша ақпарат |trans-title=Information on citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan who died in the plane crash |date=26 December 2024 |publisher=Kazakhstan Ministry of Emergency Situations |language=kk |access-date=27 December 2024 |via=gov.kz |archive-date=27 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241227111957/https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/emer/press/news/details/909635?lang=kk |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Azeri 2024" /><ref name="Rustamov 2024" /><ref name="NBC" />
|-
|style="text-align:left;"| Kyrgyzstan || 3 || {{n/a}} || 3
|3|| {{n/a}}|| <ref name="Azeri 2024" /><ref name="Rustamov 2024" /><ref name="NBC" /><ref name="ap" />
|-
|style="text-align:left;"| Russia || 16 || {{n/a}} || 16
|9||{{n/a}} || <ref name="Azeri 2024" /><ref name="NBC" /><ref name="Rustamov 2024">{{Cite news |date=25 December 2024 |first=Elshan |last=Rustamov |title=Number of casualties in plane crash near Aktau confirmed |url=https://azertag.az/en/xeber/number_of_casualties_in_plane_crash_near_aktau_confirmed-3349823 |access-date=25 December 2024 |work=]}}</ref>
|-
|style="text-align:left;"| '''Total''' || 62 || 5 || 67
|26|| 2||
|}

== Aftermath ==
]
Following the accident, a ] was declared in ], where the aircraft crashed.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Оқиға орнына Қазақстан ТЖМ басшысы келді |date=25 December 2024 |publisher=Kazakhstan Ministry of Emergency Situations |url=https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/emer/press/news/details/909587?lang=kk |language=kk |via=gov.kz |access-date=27 December 2024 |trans-title=The Head of the MES of Kazakhstan arrived at the scene |archive-date=27 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241227114941/https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/emer/press/news/details/909587%3Flang%3Dkk |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Seilkhanov |first=Adlet |date=25 December 2024 |title=Local state of emergency declared near AZAL plane crash site |url=https://en.inform.kz/news/local-state-of-emergency-declared-near-crash-of-azal-plane-crash-472a41/ |access-date=25 December 2024 |work=] |archive-date=25 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225155007/https://en.inform.kz/news/local-state-of-emergency-declared-near-crash-of-azal-plane-crash-472a41/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A total of 482 emergency response personnel, 97 pieces of special equipment, 10 canine brigades, and 2 aircraft were deployed to the crash site.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 December 2024 |first=Suleyman |last=Hamidov |title=Kazakh Emergency Ministry: Information exchange conducted with Azerbaijan and Russia on plane crash – Video |url=https://en.apa.az/incident/kazakh-emergency-ministry-information-exchange-conducted-with-azerbaijan-and-russia-on-plane-crash-video-456548 |access-date=25 December 2024 |work=]}}</ref> Additional doctors were flown in from ] to treat the injured.<ref name="guardian" /> The Blood Centre of the ] reached out to the public, asking that healthy people donate blood. Soon after, residents of ] arrived at the centre to donate their blood,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Haidir |first=Aida |date=25 December 2024 |title=Aktau Residents Donate Blood After Baku-Grozny Flight Crash |url=https://astanatimes.com/2024/12/aktau-residents-donate-blood-after-baku-grozny-flight-crash/ |access-date=25 December 2024 |work=The Astana Times |archive-date=25 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225105907/https://astanatimes.com/2024/12/aktau-residents-donate-blood-after-baku-grozny-flight-crash/ |url-status=live }}</ref> with around 300 participating.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 December 2024 |author=Farida |title=Azerbaijani resident of Aktau: Nearly 300 people have gathered to participate in blood donation campaign |url=https://en.apa.az/social/azerbaijani-resident-of-aktau-nearly-300-people-have-gathered-to-participate-in-blood-donation-campaign-456512 |access-date=25 December 2024 |work=] |archive-date=25 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225170337/https://en.apa.az/social/azerbaijani-resident-of-aktau-nearly-300-people-have-gathered-to-participate-in-blood-donation-campaign-456512 |url-status=live }}</ref> Residents of Astana also lined up at the city's blood centre to donate blood.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sakenova |first=Saniya |date=25 December 2024 |title=Baku-Grozny Flight Crash Near Aktau Leaves 29 Hospitalized |url=https://astanatimes.com/2024/12/baku-grozny-flight-crash-near-aktau-leaves-29-hospitalized/ |access-date=25 December 2024 |work=The Astana Times}}</ref> The ] flew equipment and medical workers to Kazakhstan to help with the response to the crash.<ref name="ap">{{Cite news |last1=Davies |first1=Katie Marie |last2=Litvinova |first2=Dasha |date=25 December 2024 |title=Azerbaijani airliner crashes in Kazakhstan, killing 38 with 29 survivors, officials say |url=https://apnews.com/article/azerbaijan-airliner-crash-kazakhstan-aktau-a655474030a347a5a7ddda3a77bbeddc |access-date=25 December 2024 |work=Associated Press |archive-date=25 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225081201/https://apnews.com/article/azerbaijan-airliner-crash-kazakhstan-aktau-a655474030a347a5a7ddda3a77bbeddc |url-status=live }}</ref> It later airlifted Russian nationals injured in the accident to Moscow.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Farid |last=Azeri |date=26 December 2024 |title=Russian citizens injured in plane crash evacuated to their countries – Photo-Video |url=https://en.apa.az/incident/russian-citizens-injured-in-plane-crash-evacuated-to-their-countries-photo-video-456591 |access-date=26 December 2024 |work=] |archive-date=28 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241228125616/https://en.apa.az/incident/russian-citizens-injured-in-plane-crash-evacuated-to-their-countries-photo-video-456591 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 26 December, seven injured Azerbaijanis were repatriated by ].<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 December 2024 |title=Azerbaijan's Ministry of Emergency Situations issues statement on repatriation of 7 individuals injured in plane crash |url=https://en.apa.az/incident/azerbaijans-ministry-of-emergency-situations-issues-statement-on-repatriation-of-7-individuals-injured-in-plane-crash-456686 |access-date=26 December 2024 |work=]}}</ref>

A Republican headquarters was created on the basis of Kazakhstan's Emergencies Ministry Command Centre, which included representatives of the ], the ], the ], the ], the ] and other agencies.<ref name="Government of Kazakhstan Press" /> A blogger, Azamat Sarsenbayev, was arrested and ordered detained for 10 days after taking photos and video of the crash site.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 December 2024 |title=Ақтауда ұшақ құлаған жерде түсірілім жасаған блогер ұсталды |trans-title=Blogger who filmed plane crash site in Aktau detained |url=https://kaz.tengrinews.kz/kazakhstan_news/aktauda-ushak-kulagan-jerde-tusrlm-jasagan-bloger-ustaldyi-364377/ |access-date=28 December 2024 |work=Tengrinews |language=kk |archive-date=27 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241227111957/https://kaz.tengrinews.kz/kazakhstan_news/aktauda-ushak-kulagan-jerde-tusrlm-jasagan-bloger-ustaldyi-364377/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=28 December 2024 |title=Did Russian air defence down the Azerbaijani plane in Kazakhstan? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/27/did-russian-air-defence-down-the-azerbaijani-plane-in-kazakhstan |access-date=28 December 2024 |work=] |archive-date=27 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241227232413/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/27/did-russian-air-defence-down-the-azerbaijani-plane-in-kazakhstan |url-status=live }}</ref> The Kazakh police claimed that Sarsenbayev operated a drone, obstructed rescue operations and refused to obey police orders.<ref name="tengrinews-blogger">{{Cite web |date=2024-12-25 |title=Ақтауда ұшақ құлаған жерде түсірілім жасаған блогер ұсталды |trans-title=Blogger who filmed plane crash site in Aktau detained |url=https://kaz.tengrinews.kz/kazakhstan_news/aktauda-ushak-kulagan-jerde-tusrlm-jasagan-bloger-ustaldyi-364377/ |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=Tengrinews.kz |language=kk |archive-date=28 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241228144958/https://kaz.tengrinews.kz/kazakhstan_news/aktauda-ushak-kulagan-jerde-tusrlm-jasagan-bloger-ustaldyi-364377/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2024-12-26 |title=Kazakhstan jails blogger who captured early drone footage of downed Azerbaijan Airlines plane |url=https://meduza.io/en/news/2024/12/26/kazakhstan-jails-blogger-who-captured-early-drone-footage-of-downed-azerbaijan-airlines-plane |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=Meduza |archive-date=28 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241228123357/https://meduza.io/en/news/2024/12/26/kazakhstan-jails-blogger-who-captured-early-drone-footage-of-downed-azerbaijan-airlines-plane |url-status=live }}</ref> Meanwhile, President ] issued awards to employees of Astana's ], the Mangistau Electric Grid Company and Aktau International Airport as well as health workers and police officers involved in the response to the crash.<ref>{{cite web |date=2024-12-26 |title=Plane crash: President Tokayev awards Kazakhstanis for their heroic rescue efforts |url=https://en.inform.kz/news/plane-crash-president-tokayev-awards-kazakhstanis-for-their-heroic-rescue-efforts-be8a9b/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Kazinform}}</ref>

A crisis centre was established at the Russian consulate in ]. Diplomatic staff were also sent to the crash site.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 December 2024 |title=Russia's Consulate General in Uralsk establishes task force on plane crash in Aktau |url=https://report.az/en/region/russia-s-consulate-general-in-uralsk-establishes-task-force-on-plane-crash-in-aktau/ |access-date=25 December 2024 |work=Report News Agency |archive-date=25 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225170728/https://report.az/en/region/russia-s-consulate-general-in-uralsk-establishes-task-force-on-plane-crash-in-aktau/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Representatives from the Azerbaijani consulate in Aktau were also deployed to the crash site.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 December 2024 |title=Diplomatic mission: Representatives of Azerbaijan's Consulate General in Aktau are at plane crash site |url=https://report.az/en/region/diplomatic-mission-representatives-of-azerbaijan-s-consulate-general-in-aktau-are-at-plane-crash-site/ |access-date=25 December 2024 |work=Report News Agency |archive-date=25 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225161618/https://report.az/en/region/diplomatic-mission-representatives-of-azerbaijan-s-consulate-general-in-aktau-are-at-plane-crash-site/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A special medical team and related equipment were also dispatched from Azerbaijan.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 December 2024 |title=Azerbaijan sends special medical staff, equipment to Aktau following plane crash |url=https://news.az/news/azerbaijan-sends-special-medical-staff-equipment-to-aktau-following-plane-crash |access-date=25 December 2024 |work=] |archive-date=25 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225163539/https://news.az/news/azerbaijan-sends-special-medical-staff-equipment-to-aktau-following-plane-crash |url-status=live }}</ref> On the day of the accident, one of the aircraft's ] was located by a search team.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Tayir |first1=Hassan |last2=Zeinulla |first2=Aruzhan |last3=Fox |first3=Kara |date=25 December 2024 |title=Azerbaijan Airlines plane crashes in Kazakhstan, leaving 38 dead, 29 survivors, officials say |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/25/asia/passenger-plane-crashes-kazakhstan-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=26 December 2024 |work=] |archive-date=25 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225185329/https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/25/asia/passenger-plane-crashes-kazakhstan-intl-hnk/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=25 December 2024 |title="Black box" from crashed AZAL plane near Aktau recovered |url=https://azertag.az/en/xeber/black_box_from_crashed_azal_plane_near_aktau_recovered-3349783 |access-date=26 December 2024 |work=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=25 December 2024 |title=Children among 29 survivors as plane crash kills 38 in Kazakhstan |url=https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/asia/plane-crash-video-kazakhstan-azerbaijan-aktau-j28243-embraer-b2669799.html |access-date=26 December 2024 |work=] |archive-date=26 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241226023056/https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/asia/plane-crash-video-kazakhstan-azerbaijan-aktau-j28243-embraer-b2669799.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The second was confirmed to be recovered the next day.<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 December 2024 |title=Second black box found in Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash |url=https://en.inform.kz/news/second-black-box-found-in-azerbaijan-airlines-plane-crash-25be2a/ |access-date=26 December 2024 |work=en.inform.kz |archive-date=26 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241226183040/https://en.inform.kz/news/second-black-box-found-in-azerbaijan-airlines-plane-crash-25be2a/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Azerbaijan Airlines suspended its Baku–Grozny–Baku and Baku–Makhachkala–Baku flights for the duration of the investigation.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 December 2024 |title=AZAL suspends flights from Baku to Grozny and Makhachkala |url=https://en.apa.az/incident/azal-suspends-flights-from-baku-to-grozny-and-makhachkala-456541 |access-date=25 December 2024 |work=] }}</ref> It also opened a hotline for relatives of those on board and changed its social media profiles to black as a sign of mourning.<ref name="guardian" /><ref name="ap" /> The Israeli ] ] suspended flights from ] to ] for a week "citing developments in Russia's airspace".<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 December 2024 |title=Israel's flagship carrier suspends all flights to Moscow for week after crash of Azerbaijani plane |url=https://en.apa.az/asia/israels-flagship-carrier-suspends-all-flights-to-moscow-for-week-after-crash-of-azerbaijani-plane-456701 |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=]}}</ref> It later extended the suspension until the end of March 2025.<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 December 2024 |title=Israel's El Al suspends Moscow flights through March |url=https://en.apa.az/asia/israels-el-al-suspends-moscow-flights-through-march-457005 |access-date=30 December 2024 |work=]}}</ref> On 27 December Azerbaijan Airlines also suspended flights to ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ], citing "security reasons", likely due to the investigation finding anti aircraft missile damage in the aircraft.<ref name="external"/><ref>{{Cite web |date=27 December 2024 |title=Azerbaijan Airlines Suspends Flights to Russia Following Deadly Crash |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/12/27/azerbaijan-airlines-suspends-flights-to-russia-following-deadly-crash-a87471 |access-date=27 December 2024 |website=The Moscow Times |archive-date=27 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241227122536/https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/12/27/azerbaijan-airlines-suspends-flights-to-russia-following-deadly-crash-a87471 |url-status=live }}</ref> ] also suspended its flights from Astana to ] until 27 January 2025 citing similar concerns.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 December 2024 |title=Qazaq Airline suspends flights to Russian city for safety reasons |url=https://en.apa.az/asia/qazaq-airline-suspends-flights-to-russian-city-for-safety-reasons-456774 |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=] |archive-date=28 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241228122334/https://en.apa.az/asia/qazaq-airline-suspends-flights-to-russian-city-for-safety-reasons-456774 |url-status=live}}</ref> ] also suspended flights to Sochi and Mineralnye Vody for a few days.<ref name="external"/>

According to Azerbaijani government sources, preliminary investigation indicated that the accident was caused by a Russian missile.<ref name="Euronews Exclusive">{{cite news |title=Exclusive: Preliminary investigation confirms Russian missile caused Azerbaijan Airlines crash |url=https://www.euronews.com/2024/12/26/exclusive-preliminary-investigation-confirms-russian-missile-over-grozny-caused-aktau-cras |access-date=26 December 2024 |work=] |date=26 December 2024 |archive-date=26 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241226124848/https://www.euronews.com/2024/12/26/exclusive-preliminary-investigation-confirms-russian-missile-over-grozny-caused-aktau-cras |url-status=live }}</ref> The ] has stated it would not comment on the causes of the crash until the results of the investigation are announced.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Farid |last=Akbarov |date=26 December 2024 |title=Kremlin will not comment on the cause of the plane crash until the results of the examination are announced |url=https://en.apa.az/cis-countries/kremlin-will-not-comment-on-the-cause-of-the-plane-crash-until-the-results-of-the-examination-are-announced-456629 |access-date=26 December 2024 |work=]}}</ref> ] called for a comprehensive investigation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 December 2024 |title=NATO calls for comprehensive investigation into plane crash |url=https://report.az/en/foreign-politics/nato-calls-for-comprehensive-investigation-into-plane-crash/ |access-date=26 December 2024 |website=Report News Agency |archive-date=26 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241226135424/https://report.az/en/foreign-politics/nato-calls-for-comprehensive-investigation-into-plane-crash/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Azerbaijan Airlines said it would pay 20,000 ] (approximately {{US$|12,000|link=yes}}) as compensation to each of the injured passengers, and 40,000 manats (approximately US$23,000) to the families of those who were killed. All surviving passengers will also receive the relevant insurance payment in accordance with Azerbaijani law.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 December 2024 |title=AZAL təyyarə qəzasında həlak olanların ailələrinə 40 min manat kompensasiya ödəyəcək |trans-title=AZAL to pay 40,000 manats in compensation to families of those killed in plane crash |url=https://report.az/daxili-siyaset/teyyare-qezasinda-helak-olanlarin-ailelerine-20-min-manat-verilecek/ |access-date=26 December 2024 |website=Report İnformasiya Agentliyi |language=az}}{{dead link|date=December 2024 }}</ref>

=== Reactions ===
] in Baku, Azerbaijan, 26 December 2024]]
Azerbaijani President ] was en route to the ] summit in ], Russia, when news of the accident broke out,<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 December 2024 |title=President Ilham Aliyev held meeting on plane crash |url=https://en.apa.az/official-news/president-ilham-aliyev-held-meeting-on-plane-crash-updated-456500 |access-date=25 December 2024 |work=] |archive-date=25 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225132923/https://en.apa.az/official-news/president-ilham-aliyev-held-meeting-on-plane-crash-updated-456500 |url-status=live}}</ref> leading him to return to Baku,<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 December 2024 |title=Plane crash in Aktau: Azerbaijani president returns to Baku |url=https://en.tengrinews.kz/sng/plane-crash-in-aktau-azerbaijani-president-returns-to-baku-265862/ |access-date=25 December 2024 |website=Tengrinews.kz |language=en |archive-date=25 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225093153/https://en.tengrinews.kz/sng/plane-crash-in-aktau-azerbaijani-president-returns-to-baku-265862/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=25 December 2024 |title=Azerbaijani president cuts short his Russia visit after AZAL plane crash |url=https://news.az/news/azerbaijani-president-cuts-short-his-russia-visit-after-azal-plane-crash |access-date=25 December 2024 |website=news.az |archive-date=25 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225112631/https://news.az/news/azerbaijani-president-cuts-short-his-russia-visit-after-azal-plane-crash |url-status=live }}</ref> where he held an emergency meeting on the accident shortly after landing at Baku airport.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 December 2024 |title=President Ilham Aliyev holds meeting on plane crash |url=https://report.az/en/domestic-politics/president-ilham-aliyev-holds-meeting-on-plane-crash/ |access-date=25 December 2024 |work=Report News Agency |archive-date=25 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225170850/https://report.az/en/domestic-politics/president-ilham-aliyev-holds-meeting-on-plane-crash/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He declared a day of ] for 26 December<ref name="NBC" /> and later expressed thanks for Kazakh officials for their response to the disaster.<ref>{{cite web |date=2024-12-29 |title=AZAL plane crash: Ilham Aliyev thanks Kazakhstanis |url=https://en.inform.kz/news/ilham-aliyev-thanks-kazakhstanis-a16b40/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Kazinform |archive-date=31 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241231000938/https://en.inform.kz/news/ilham-aliyev-thanks-kazakhstanis-a16b40/ |url-status=live }}</ref> First lady and vice president ] also expressed condolences,<ref name="guardian" /> as did Prime Minister ].<ref>{{cite news |author=Farida |url=https://en.apa.az/domestic-policy/azerbaijan-pm-this-is-a-tragedy-for-our-entire-nation-456947 |title=Azerbaijan PM: This is a tragedy for our entire nation |work=] |date=29 December 2024 }}</ref> Condolences to Azerbaijan were expressed by Kazakh President ]<ref>{{Cite news |title=Tokayev expresses condolences to Azerbaijan's President Aliyev over plane crash |url=https://en.inform.kz/news/tokayev-expresses-condolences-to-azerbaijans-president-aliyev-over-plane-crash-6d268b/ |access-date=25 December 2024 |work=] |archive-date=25 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225114235/https://en.inform.kz/news/tokayev-expresses-condolences-to-azerbaijans-president-aliyev-over-plane-crash-6d268b/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and Russian President ] as well as leaders from countries outside the flight's path.<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 December 2024 |title=Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash: World leaders express condolences |url=https://en.inform.kz/news/azerbaijan-airlines-plane-crash-world-leaders-express-condolences-09a449/ |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=] |archive-date=27 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241227053154/https://en.inform.kz/news/azerbaijan-airlines-plane-crash-world-leaders-express-condolences-09a449/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Flowers were laid at the Azerbaijani embassy in Astana in mourning for the victims.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 December 2024 |title=Kazakhstanis carry flowers to Azerbaijani Embassy in Astana |url=https://en.inform.kz/news/kazakhs-carry-flowers-to-azerbaijani-embassy-in-astana-4fe0b6/ |access-date=25 December 2024 |work=] |archive-date=25 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225221844/https://en.inform.kz/news/kazakhs-carry-flowers-to-azerbaijani-embassy-in-astana-4fe0b6/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Amid reports that the aircraft was fired at during a Ukrainian drone attack, Ukrainian president ] called for a "thorough investigation", adding that visual evidence at the crash site "points to Russia's responsibility".<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 December 2024 |title=Probe suggests Azerbaijan plane crashed due to 'physical external interference' |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20241227-russia-says-azerbaijani-plane-tried-to-land-during-ukraine-drone-attack |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=] |archive-date=27 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241227134331/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20241227-russia-says-azerbaijani-plane-tried-to-land-during-ukraine-drone-attack |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet |user=ZelenskyyUa |number=1872678416518160604 |title=Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський on X}}</ref> On 28 December Zelenskyy called Aliyev, expressed condolences and support to Azerbaijan and stated that "Russia must provide clear explanations and stop spreading disinformation".<ref>{{Cite tweet |user=ZelenskyyUa |number=1872991535400194290 |title=Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський on X}}</ref> White House spokesperson ] said that the United States had seen "early indications" that Russia may have been responsible for the crash, adding that Washington had offered to assist in the investigation.<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 December 2024 |title=Russia may be responsible for downed Azerbaijani plane, says US |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czd47v659g4o |access-date=28 December 2024 |work=]}}</ref> European Union foreign policy chief ] also said the crash was a "stark reminder" of the shooting down of ] in 2014 and called for a "swift, independent international investigation".<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 December 2024 |title=Putin apologises to Azerbaijan without claiming responsibility in plane crash |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20241228-putin-apologises-to-azerbaijan-without-claiming-responsibility-in-plane-crash-1 |access-date=29 December 2024 |work=]}}</ref>

A ] was held at noon across Azerbaijan to mark the day of national mourning on 26 December.<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 December 2024 |title=Azerbaijan observes a minute of silence in memory of Aktau plane crash victims – Photosession – Video |url=https://en.apa.az/social/azerbaijan-observes-a-minute-of-silence-in-memory-of-aktau-plane-crash-victims-photosession-video-456604 |access-date=26 December 2024 |work=] |archive-date=28 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241228111719/https://en.apa.az/social/azerbaijan-observes-a-minute-of-silence-in-memory-of-aktau-plane-crash-victims-photosession-video-456604 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was decided that the matches of the eighth round of ] and the Azerbaijan National Futsal Cup scheduled for 26 December will begin with a one-minute silence.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 December 2024 |title=Azərbaycanın futzal üzrə Yüksək Liqasının və kubokun oyunlarından əvvəl 1 dəqiqəlik sükut elan olunacaq |trans-title=A minute of silence will be declared before the matches of the Azerbaijani Futsal High League and Cup |url=https://report.az/futbol-xeberleri/azrbaycanin-futzal-uzre-yuksek-liqasinin-ve-kubokun-oyunlarindan-evvel-1-deqiqelik-sukut-elan-olunacaq/ |access-date=26 December 2024 |website=Report News Agency |language=az}}</ref> Due to the day of national mourning, the matches of the Azerbaijan Taekwondo Championship,<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 December 2024 |title=Taekvondo üzrə Azərbaycan birinciliyi və çempionatının görüşləri matəm günü ilə əlaqədar təxirə salınıb |trans-title=The matches of the Azerbaijan Taekwondo Championship and Championship have been postponed due to the day of mourning. |url=https://report.az/ferdi/taekvondo-uzre-olke-birinciliyi-ve-cempionatinin-gorusleri-matem-gunu-ile-elaqedar-texire-salinib/ |access-date=26 December 2024 |website=Report News Agency |language=az}}</ref> as well as the Azerbaijan Wrestling Championship scheduled for 26 December, were postponed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 December 2024 |title=Güləş üzrə Azərbaycan çempionatının növbəti görüşləri matəm günü ilə bağlı təxirə salınıb |trans-title=The next matches of the Azerbaijan Wrestling Championship have been postponed due to the day of mourning. |url=https://report.az/ferdi/gules-uzre-azerbaycan-cempionatinin-novbeti-gorusleri-matem-gunu-ile-bagli-texire-salinib/ |access-date=26 December 2024 |website=Report News Agency |language=az |archive-date=26 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241226085836/https://report.az/ferdi/gules-uzre-azerbaycan-cempionatinin-novbeti-gorusleri-matem-gunu-ile-bagli-texire-salinib/ |url-status=live }}</ref> All cultural and mass events planned in theatre and concert venues on that date were also postponed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 December 2024 |title=Matəm günü ilə əlaqədar teatr-konsert müəssisələrində bütün mədəni-kütləvi tədbirlər təxirə salınıb |trans-title=All cultural and mass events at theater and concert venues have been postponed due to the day of mourning |url=https://apa.az/art/matem-gunu-ile-elaqedar-teatr-konsert-muessiselerinde-butun-medeni-kutlevi-tedbirler-texire-salinib-882165 |access-date=26 December 2024 |work=] |language=az}}</ref>

On 27 December, Dmitry Yadrov, head of Russia's civil aviation authority ], said that Ukrainian drones attacked Grozny as the plane was about to land in thick fog, prompting authorities to close the area to air traffic.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ukrainian drone attack was under way before Azerbaijani plane's crash, Russian aviation chief says |url=https://abc7.com/post/ukrainian-drone-attack-was-before-azerbaijani-planes-crash-russian-aviation-chief-says/15714626/ |issue=] |date=December 27, 2024 |archive-date=28 December 2024 |access-date=29 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241228143716/https://abc7.com/post/ukrainian-drone-attack-was-before-azerbaijani-planes-crash-russian-aviation-chief-says/15714626/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 27 December, Azerbaijani media reported that head of the Chechen Republic ] attempted to contact president Aliyev privately and offered "financial support" for the victims, which was interpreted as a personal admission of responsibility and an attempt to resolve the case quietly without public apology. This request was denied and negatively received in Baku.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-28 |title=Təyyarə qəzası: Putin Kadırovu qurban verəcəkmi? |url=https://globalinfo.az/putin-kadirovu-qurban-verecekmi/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=GlobalInfo.az |language=tr}}</ref>
A day of mourning was declared for 28 December in Chechnya by order of Kadyrov.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-27 |title=Власти Чечни объявили траур в связи с авиакатастрофой под Актау |trans-title=Chechen authorities declare mourning over plane crash near Aktau |url=https://www.gazeta.ru/social/news/2024/12/27/24731846.shtml |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=Gazeta.Ru |language=ru |archive-date=27 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241227151512/https://www.gazeta.ru/social/news/2024/12/27/24731846.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref>

According to the ]'s ], it would be the third major shooting down of a civilian aircraft linked to armed conflict since 2014, along with Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 and ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash: what do we know? |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/what-we-know-about-azerbaijan-airlines-plane-crash-2024-12-27/ |work=Reuters |date=27 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Azerbaijan Airlines crash: was this another military shoot-down of a civil aircraft? |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/plane-crash-azerbaijan-airlines-kazakhstan-russia-b2670430.html |work=The Independent |date=27 December 2024 |archive-date=28 December 2024 |access-date=28 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241228130155/https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/plane-crash-azerbaijan-airlines-kazakhstan-russia-b2670430.html |url-status=live }}</ref> ] was shot down near a war zone in 1988.<ref>{{cite news |title=Exclusive: Survivors on Azerbaijani plane say they heard bangs before it went down |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/passenger-crashed-plane-says-there-was-least-one-loud-bang-before-it-went-down-2024-12-27/ |work=Reuters |date=27 December 2024}}</ref> ''The Wall Street Journal'' highlighted the risks of civil aviation near ], stating that accidental shooting down of civilian aircraft has become the leading cause of deaths in commercial aviation in recent years.<ref>{{cite news |title=Missiles Are Now the Biggest Killer of Airline Passengers |url=https://www.wsj.com/world/flight-deaths-shot-from-sky-rising-798fd31e |work=] |date=27 December 2024 |archive-date=28 December 2024 |access-date=28 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241228130155/https://www.wsj.com/world/flight-deaths-shot-from-sky-rising-798fd31e |url-status=live }}</ref>
On 28 December, Putin apologised to Aliyev for the "tragic incident involving the aircraft that occurred in Russian airspace", but did not confirm that the flight had been shot down and did not take responsibility. He also added that Ukrainian drones had been targeting Grozny and that Russian air defence systems had been activated to respond to the attack.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2024-12-28 |title=Putin apologizes for 'tragic incident' but stops short of saying Azerbaijani plane was shot down |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-putin-plane-crash-azerbaijan-a5b0ffa3e410df53556b0cd824f32a6f |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=28 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241228141729/https://apnews.com/article/russia-putin-plane-crash-azerbaijan-a5b0ffa3e410df53556b0cd824f32a6f |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite web |last=Mao |first=Frances |date=28 December 2024 |title=Putin sorry over Azerbaijan Airlines crash but does not accept blame |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqx8l1533j5o |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/putin-apologises-aliyev-over-tragic-incident-with-azerbaijan-airlines-plane-2024-12-28/ |title=Putin apologises to Aliyev over 'tragic incident' with Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash|work= Reuters|date=28 December 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=28 December 2024 |title=Putin apologises to Aliyev over 'tragic incident' with Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/putin-apologises-aliyev-over-tragic-incident-with-azerbaijan-airlines-plane-2024-12-28/ |work=Reuters}}</ref> He said that at that time the cities of Grozny, ] and ] "were attacked by Ukrainian combat drones, and Russian air defence systems repelled these attacks."<ref>{{cite news |title=Putin apologizes over 'tragic' Azerbaijan Airlines crash, without admitting responsibility |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/12/28/asia/russia-air-defenses-azerbaijan-airlines-crash-intl/index.html |work=CNN |date=28 December 2024 |archive-date=29 December 2024 |access-date=29 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241229075538/https://edition.cnn.com/2024/12/28/asia/russia-air-defenses-azerbaijan-airlines-crash-intl/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The Kremlin said Russia had launched a ] into the incident and would cooperate with ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Putin apologizes to Azerbaijani leader for "tragic incident" involving crashed plane in Kazakhstan |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/putin-russia-azerbaijan-plane-crash-kazakhastan/ |work=CBS News |date=28 December 2024 |archive-date=29 December 2024 |access-date=29 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241229160424/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/putin-russia-azerbaijan-plane-crash-kazakhastan/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Azerbaijani commentators summarised their expectations in relation to the disaster, regarding Russia's apology, the prosecution of those responsible, and compensation payments. They noted that, while Putin had offered a vague apology, he never officially responded to the other two requests. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-29 |title=Təyyarəmiz vurulduqdan dərhal sonra Kadırovun dəhşətli əmri... |url=https://globalinfo.az/teyyare-vurulandan-derhal-sonra-kadirovun-hhm-e-dehsetli-emri/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=GlobalInfo.az |language=tr |trans-title=
Immediately after our plane was shot down, Kadyrov's terrible order...}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-28 |title=Putinin üzrxahlığının Pərdəarxasi: Kremlin planı nədir? |trans-title=Background of Putin's apology: What is the Kremlin's plan? |url=https://globalinfo.az/putinin-uzrxahliginin-perdearxasi-kremlin-plani-nedir/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=GlobalInfo.az |language=az}}</ref>

Azerbaijani officials have claimed that the pilots were denied permission to conduct an emergency landing at any airport in Russia, forcing them to change course to Aktau, an alleged attempt to hide evidence in the hopes the aircraft would crash into the Caspian Sea.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vorobyov |first=Niko |date=2025-01-01 |title='Lack of humanity': Why Azerbaijan is angry with Russia over plane crash |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/1/lack-of-humanity-why-azerbaijan-is-angry-with-russia-over-plane-crash |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-26 |title=Preliminary investigation: AZAL aircraft shot down by Russian air defence |url=https://caliber.az/en/post/preliminary-investigation-azal-aircraft-shot-down-by-russian-air-defence |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=Caliber.Az |language=en}}</ref>

== Investigation ==
] in a cabinet meeting in connection with the plane crash, 25 December 2024]]
Both Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan opened commissions to investigate the disaster.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Azerbaijani president decrees to establish state commission for plane crash investigation |url=https://news.az/news/azerbaijani-president-decrees-to-establish-state-commission-for-plane-crash-investigation |date=25 December 2024 |access-date=25 December 2024 |work=News.az |archive-date=25 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225131412/https://news.az/news/azerbaijani-president-decrees-to-establish-state-commission-for-plane-crash-investigation |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="bbc-20241226" /> The Kazakh commission was headed by deputy prime minister ], while Kazakh emergencies minister Chingis Arinov also visited Aktau.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Kazakh Emergency Minister Chingis Arinov arrives in Aktau |url=https://en.inform.kz/news/kazakh-emergency-minister-chingis-arinov-arrives-in-aktau-58b1f2/ |access-date=25 December 2024 |work=] |date=25 December 2024 |archive-date=25 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225153400/https://en.inform.kz/news/kazakh-emergency-minister-chingis-arinov-arrives-in-aktau-58b1f2/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Azerbaijani commission was headed by Prime Minister ].<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 December 2024 |title=Measures underway to organize evacuation of Azerbaijani citizens receiving treatment in Aktau |url=https://en.apa.az/social/measures-underway-to-organize-evacuation-of-azerbaijani-citizens-receiving-treatment-in-aktau-456553 |access-date=25 December 2024 |work=]}}</ref> Azerbaijan sent a delegation consisting of its emergency situations minister, deputy general prosecutor, and the vice president of Azerbaijan Airlines to Aktau to conduct an on-site investigation.<ref name="ap" /> It also invited a group of civil aviation experts from Turkey for assistance.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 December 2024 |title=Azerbaijan involves Turkish experts to investigate plane crash |url=https://en.apa.az/social/azerbaijan-involves-turkish-experts-to-investigate-plane-crash-456747 |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=] |archive-date=27 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241227084808/https://en.apa.az/social/azerbaijan-involves-turkish-experts-to-investigate-plane-crash-456747 |url-status=live }}</ref> ] said it would assist in the investigation.<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 December 2024 |title=Why did an Azerbaijan Airline plane crash in Kazakhstan? What we know |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/26/why-did-an-azerbaijan-airline-plane-crash-in-kazakhstan-what-we-know |access-date=26 December 2024 |work=]}}</ref> It along with the Brazilian air incident investigation agency ] sent representatives to Kazakhstan.<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 December 2024 |title=Plane crash near Aktau: Embraer and CENIPA representatives head to Kazakhstan |url=https://en.inform.kz/news/plane-crash-near-aktau-embraer-and-cenipa-representatives-left-for-kazakhstan-b18ee0/ |access-date=26 December 2024 |work=]}}</ref> Kazakh authorities have reportedly sent the ] to Brazil, where they would be examined by CENIPA.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bagirova |first1=Nailia |last2=Kolodyazhnyy |first2=Anton |title=Azerbaijan president says crashed plane was shot at from Russia |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/azerbaijan-pays-tribute-pilots-passengers-who-perished-air-crash-2024-12-29/ |access-date=30 December 2024 |publisher=Reuters |date=29 December 2024 |archive-date=29 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241229230500/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/azerbaijan-pays-tribute-pilots-passengers-who-perished-air-crash-2024-12-29/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Russia also opened an investigation initially headed by the Western Inter-regional Investigation Department for Transport and later the ].<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 December 2024 |title=Russian Investigative Committee's head office takes over plane incident investigation |url=https://en.apa.az/incident/russian-investigative-committees-head-office-takes-over-plane-incident-investigation-456914 |access-date=29 December 2024 |work=]}}</ref>

On 26 December Kazakhstan said that law enforcement officials from Russia and Azerbaijan were not allowed to participate in the forensic investigation, citing existing laws.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 December 2024 |title=Plane crash near Aktau: Azerbaijani prosecutors came to Grozny |url=https://en.inform.kz/news/plane-crash-near-aktau-azerbaijani-prosecutors-came-to-grozny-99c3bb/ |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=Kazinform |archive-date=27 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241227165104/https://en.inform.kz/news/plane-crash-near-aktau-azerbaijani-prosecutors-came-to-grozny-99c3bb/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On 27 December, Azerbaijan rejected a proposal by Russia and Kazakhstan to have the accident investigated by the ] of the ], saying that it wanted the investigation to be conducted by international experts and Embraer specialists.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 December 2024 |title=Azerbaijan rejects Russia and Kazakhstan's proposal for CIS Interstate Aviation Committee to investigate plane crash |url=https://en.apa.az/incident/azerbaijan-rejects-russia-and-kazakhstans-proposal-for-cis-interstate-aviation-committee-to-investigate-plane-crash-456741 |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=]}}</ref> President Ilham Aliyev cited issues of objectivity caused by the predominance of Russian officials in the committee as a reason for the refusal.<ref name="aliyev"/>

In the initial aftermath, ] stated that ] could have caused the plane to crash, with Azerbaijan Airlines President ], speaking to journalists, ruling out a technical failure as a potential cause.<ref name="JAMnews">{{cite news |title="Azərbaycan təyyarəsi Rusiya HHM sistemi ilə vurulub". Bakıdan ilk yarırəsmi versiya |trans-title="Azerbaijani plane shot down by Russian missile system." First semi-official version from Baku |url=https://jam-news.net/az/az%C9%99rbaycan-t%C9%99yyar%C9%99sini-rusiya-vurub/ |access-date=26 December 2024 |work=JAMnews |date=26 December 2024 |language=az |archive-date=27 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241227214905/https://jam-news.net/az/az%C9%99rbaycan-t%C9%99yyar%C9%99sini-rusiya-vurub/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Russia's ] suggested that based on preliminary information, the request for emergency landing was due to a bird strike.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 December 2024 |title=Azerbaijan Airlines plane carrying 67 passengers crashes near Aktau during emergency landing |url=https://www.dimsumdaily.hk/azerbaijan-airlines-plane-carrying-67-passengers-crashes-near-aktau-during-emergency-landing/ |access-date=25 December 2024 |work=Dimsum Daily |archive-date=25 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225074703/https://www.dimsumdaily.hk/azerbaijan-airlines-plane-carrying-67-passengers-crashes-near-aktau-during-emergency-landing/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="cnn">{{Cite news |last1=Tayir |first1=Hassan |last2=Vlasova |first2=Svitlana |last3=Butenko |first3=Victoria |last4=Lilieholm |first4=Lucas |last5=Szekeres |first5=Edward |date=25 December 2024 |title=Plane carrying 67 people crashes in Kazakhstan, officials say; more than 20 survive |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/12/25/asia/passenger-plane-crashes-kazakhstan-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=25 December 2024 |work=CNN }}</ref><ref name="ap" /><ref name="aljazeera">{{Cite news |date=25 December 2024 |title=At least 38 dead after Azerbaijan Airlines plane crashes in Kazakhstan |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/25/passenger-plane-crashes-in-kazakhstan-emergencies-ministry |access-date=25 December 2024 |work=] |archive-date=25 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225084009/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/25/passenger-plane-crashes-in-kazakhstan-emergencies-ministry |url-status=live }}</ref> Later, Kazakhstan's emergency services reported that an oxygen cylinder on board might have exploded.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Popov |first=Roman |date=25 December 2024 |title=Самолет Баку-Грозный сбили? Следы поражающих элементов обнаружили на фюзеляже |trans-title=Baku-Grozny plane shot down? Traces of striking elements found on fuselage |url=https://arbatmedia.kz/news-kz/samolet-baku-groznyi-mogli-sbit-obnaruzeny-sledy-porazayushhix-elementov-8606 |access-date=25 December 2024 |work=Arbat media |language=ru |archive-date=25 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225211512/https://arbatmedia.kz/news-kz/samolet-baku-groznyi-mogli-sbit-obnaruzeny-sledy-porazayushhix-elementov-8606 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=25 December 2024 |title=При крушении самолёта Azerbaijan Airlines в Казахстане погибли 38 человек |trans-title=38 killed in Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash in Kazakhstan |url=https://www.gazeta.uz/ru/2024/12/25/aktau-plane/ |access-date=25 December 2024 |work=gazeta.uz |language=ru}}</ref><ref name="tengrinews">{{Cite news |last=Daribay |first=Aruzhan |date=25 December 2024 |title=Авиакатастрофа в Актау: появилось видео из салона самолета |trans-title=Air crash in Aktau: video from the cabin of the plane has appeared |url=https://tengrinews.kz/kazakhstan_news/aviakatastrofa-v-aktau-poyavilos-video-iz-salona-samoleta-558015/ |access-date=25 December 2024 |work=TengriNews |language=ru}}</ref>

The bird strike hypothesis was soon questioned, as images from the scene showed significant perforations on the tail surfaces.<ref name="interfax" /><ref>{{Cite news |title=На самолете Azerbaijan Airlines заметили дыры, похожие на следы от стрельбы |url=https://news.ru/cis/na-samolete-azerbaijan-airlines-zametili-dyry-pohozhie-na-sledy-ot-strelby/ |trans-title=Azerbaijan Airlines plane has holes that look like gunshot wounds |access-date=25 December 2024 |work=NEWS.ru |language=ru |date=25 December 2024 }}</ref><ref name="Livesay, Smith & Reals 2024">{{Cite web |last1=Livesay |first1=Chris |last2=Smith |first2=Barny |last3=Reals |first3=Tucker |date=2024-12-27 |title=Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash in Kazakhstan "does not look like" bird strike as Russia suggested, experts say |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/azerbaijan-airlines-plane-crash-kazakhstan-russia-ukraine-war/ |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=CBS News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="AP News 2024">{{Cite news |date=26 December 2024 |title=Aviation experts say Russia's air defense fire likely caused Azerbaijan plane crash as nation mourns |url=https://apnews.com/article/azerbaijan-airliner-crash-aktau-kazakstan-embraer-872800d95273ee96e0950192a32e5228 |access-date=2024-12-28 |work=] |archive-date=27 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241227030533/https://apnews.com/article/azerbaijan-airliner-crash-aktau-kazakstan-embraer-872800d95273ee96e0950192a32e5228 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Neuman |first=Scott |date=2024-12-27 |title=Photos from Azerbaijan jet crash suggest a missile strike, according to experts |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/12/27/nx-s1-5240981/azerbaijan-airlines-passenger-jet-crash-russia |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=National Public Radio |archive-date=28 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241228015511/https://www.npr.org/2024/12/27/nx-s1-5240981/azerbaijan-airlines-passenger-jet-crash-russia |url-status=live }}</ref> Survivors of the crash reported hearing an explosion followed by shrapnel hitting the plane and some passengers.<ref name="Fouda 2024">{{Cite news |last=Fouda |first=Makel |date=25 December 2024 |title=Russian air defence missile incident emerges as likely cause of Azerbaijan Airlines crash |url=https://www.euronews.com/2024/12/25/azerbaijani-passenger-plane-crashes-near-kazakh-city-of-aktau |access-date=25 December 2024 |work=] |archive-date=25 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225091243/https://www.euronews.com/2024/12/25/azerbaijani-passenger-plane-crashes-near-kazakh-city-of-aktau |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Türkiye Today 2024" /> The crew had reported a strong impact on the fuselage from what was initially assumed to have been birds. Multiple experts from multiple countries stated that the damage in the images were not consistent with a bird strike, and that birds do not fly at the altitude that the plane was flying when the initial damage occurred.<ref name="Livesay, Smith & Reals 2024" />

On 26 December Azerbaijani government sources stated to ''AnewZ'' and '']'' that a Russian ] had fired a missile at the aircraft above Grozny, detonating near the plane, injuring passengers and crew members.<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 December 2024 |title=Preliminary investigation: AZAL aircraft shot down by Russian air defence – Exclusive data by Caliber.Az |url=https://caliber.az/en/post/preliminary-investigation-azal-aircraft-shot-down-by-russian-air-defence |access-date=26 December 2024 |work=caliber.az |archive-date=26 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241226142823/https://caliber.az/en/post/preliminary-investigation-azal-aircraft-shot-down-by-russian-air-defence |url-status=live }}</ref> According to the same sources, despite the pilots' requests to perform an ], they were denied to do so at any Russian airport, instead being ordered to fly towards Aktau.<ref name="Euronews Exclusive" /> Subsequent analysis indicated that the missile explosion occurred at an altitude of {{convert|2,400|m|ft}} over ], {{convert|18|km}} north-northwest of Grozny airport.<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 December 2024 |title=Drone attack in the North Caucasus and the crash of an AZAL plane: How did the plane disappear from radar?-RESEARCH |url=https://en.apa.az/political/drone-attack-in-the-north-caucasus-and-the-crash-of-an-azal-plane-how-did-the-plane-disappear-from-radar-research-456694 |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=]}}</ref> According to Russian sources, as Flight 8243 flew over Chechen airspace, Russian air defence forces were actively engaging Ukrainian drones. On the morning of 25 December, the head of the Security Council of the Chechen Republic, ], confirmed that Grozny had been ]. He stated that there were no casualties or damage resulting from the accident.<ref name="Euronews Exclusive"/> Azerbaijani media also published similar reports, citing ''Euronews''' statement.<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 December 2024 |title="Euronews": AZAL-ın qəzaya uğrayan təyyarəsinə Rusiya hava limanlarına eniş icazəsi verilməyib, GPS-i bloklanıb |trans-title=Euronews: AZAL plane that crashed was denied landing permission at Russian airports, GPS blocked |url=https://apa.az/hadise/euronews-azal-in-qezaya-ugrayan-teyyaresine-rusiya-hava-limanlarina-enis-icazesi-verilmeyib-gps-i-bloklanib-882302 |access-date=26 December 2024 |work=] |language=az}}</ref>

Four sources in Azerbaijan with knowledge of the investigation informed ] that the airplane was downed by a Russian air defence system.<ref name="ReutersOfficials">{{cite news |work=] |title=Russian air-defense system downed Azerbaijan plane, sources say |date=26 December 2024 |first1=Nailia |last1=Bagirova |first2=Gleb |last2=Stolyarov |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/azerbaijan-airlines-flight-was-downed-by-russian-air-defence-system-four-sources-2024-12-26/ |access-date=26 December 2024}}</ref> According to one of the sources, preliminary investigation showed that the plane was hit by a Russian Pantsir-S air defence system, and its communication systems were jammed by ] systems when approaching Grozny.<ref name=ReutersOfficials /> In response, Azerbaijani MP ] demanded from Russia an official apology and bringing to justice those responsible, adding that otherwise "] will be affected".<ref name="AP News 2024" />

In the article published in '']'' on 27 December, an American pilot and two French experts analysed the post-crash video, and stated that the plane was probably hit by a missile. The article stated that after losing all flight control systems, the pilots attempted to make an emergency landing. Experts reported that videos taken before and after the crash indicate that shrapnel pierced the rear of the aircraft, disabling all three parallel hydraulic systems located in the wings and tail section. When the control systems failed, the crew likely tried to manage the aircraft's pitch and roll angles by independently adjusting the thrust power of the two engines.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bremner |first=Charles |date=27 December 2024 |title=Was Azerbaijan Airlines plane shot down? Crash footage gives answers |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/asia/article/was-azerbaijan-plane-shot-down-russia-kazakhstan-9krcrp39x |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=] |url-access=subscription |archive-date=27 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241227045035/https://www.thetimes.com/world/asia/article/was-azerbaijan-plane-shot-down-russia-kazakhstan-9krcrp39x |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 27 December the Azerbaijani minister of digital development and transportation ] said that preliminary results showed that Flight 8243 crashed due to "physical and technical external interference" from an unspecified weapon.<ref name="Kirby Khalilova"/><ref name="external">{{cite news |date=27 December 2024 |title=Azerbaijani minister says plane that crashed was hit from the outside, possibly by a weapon |url=https://apnews.com/article/azerbaijan-airliner-crash-aktau-kazakhstan-russia-embraer-f23c1bb34a3c6911be5d00ae8fdccbdc |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=]}}</ref>

That same day ] declared that a ] protocol "Kovyor" had been imposed in Grozny on the day of the crash, citing the presence of Ukrainian drones.<ref name="Kirby Khalilova">{{cite news |last1=Kirby |first1=Paul |last2=Khalilova |first2=Konul |date=27 December 2024 |title=Azerbaijan airline blames 'external interference' for plane crash |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy4717j21kko |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=] |archive-date=27 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241227132627/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy4717j21kko |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 29 December President Aliyev said that the aircraft was shot down by Russia unintentionally and criticised Moscow for trying to "hush up" the incident and initially releasing "delirious versions" of what happened. He also acknowledged Putin's apology over the disaster, while demanding that Russia admit responsibility, punish those culpable and pay compensation to Azerbaijan and the victims.<ref name="aliyev">{{Cite news |date=29 December 2024 |title=Azerbaijan's president says crashed jetliner was shot down by Russia unintentionally |url=https://apnews.com/article/azerbaijan-russia-plane-crash-e6c1002284a900fa635eecf5573214ea |work=] |archive-date=29 December 2024 |access-date=29 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241229151703/https://apnews.com/article/azerbaijan-russia-plane-crash-e6c1002284a900fa635eecf5573214ea |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ilham Aliyev was interviewed by Azerbaijan Television |url=https://president.az/en/articles/view/67806 |website=Official web-site of President of Azerbaijan Republic |access-date=29 December 2024 |language=en |date=29 December 2024 |archive-date=29 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241229142728/https://president.az/en/articles/view/67806 |url-status=live }}</ref> The next day, the Azerbaijani General Prosecutor said that he was told by the head of Russia's Investigative Committee that "intensive measures are being carried out to identify the guilty people and bring them to criminal responsibility".<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 December 2024 |title=Russian Investigators Vow to Punish Those Responsible for Azerbaijani Plane Crash, Baku Says |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/12/30/russian-investigators-vow-to-punish-those-responsible-for-azerbaijani-plane-crash-baku-says-a87484 |work=] |archive-date=30 December 2024 |access-date=30 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241230163231/https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/12/30/russian-investigators-vow-to-punish-those-responsible-for-azerbaijani-plane-crash-baku-says-a87484 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Hypotheses===
]
Flight 8243 was flying in an area where Russia claims to have recently downed Ukrainian drones ] as part of the ] when it crashed.<ref name=ReutersOfficials /> According to Flightradar24, Flight 8243 encountered GPS interference, with invalid ADS-B position data starting at 04:25 UTC due to significant interference.<ref name="Flightradar24" />

Damage to the plane included apparent shrapnel marks on the ] and wings, suggesting an explosion nearby.<ref name="current">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.currenttime.tv/a/33252822.html |title="Самолет мог быть поврежден зенитной ракетой". Ян Матвеев – о версии авиакатастрофы в Казахстане из-за работы российской ПВО |date=25 December 2024 |language=ru |trans-title="The plane could have been damaged by an anti-aircraft missile." Yan Matveyev on the version of the plane crash in Kazakhstan due to the work of Russian air defense |access-date=25 December 2024 |via=www.currenttime.tv |archive-date=25 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225215600/https://www.currenttime.tv/a/33252822.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Fouda 2024" /> Witness accounts reported injuries, with one woman wounded in the leg, and another witness's life jacket pierced by shrapnel.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}} Military analyst Yan Matveyev suggested that Russian ], possibly the ], may have mistaken the plane for a ] due to a failure in the Pantsir's ].<ref name="current" /> Speaking to ''Türkiye Today'', aviation analyst ] challenged the bird strike hypothesis, saying "You can lose control of the plane, but you don't fly wildly off course as a consequence." ''Türkiye Today'' noted that the extensive shrapnel damage patterns across the aircraft's fuselage and tail section were inconsistent with damage from bird strikes, instead resembling those of impacts of anti-aircraft ammunition, adding that "The concentration of puncture holes in the tail section suggests a possible loss of hydraulic systems, similar to the ] accident".<ref name="Türkiye Today 2024">{{Cite news |date=25 December 2024 |title=Growing evidence suggests Azerbaijan Airlines flight was targeted by missile strike |url=https://www.turkiyetoday.com/world/growing-evidence-suggests-azerbaijan-airlines-flight-was-targeted-by-missile-strike-97513/ |access-date=25 December 2024 |work=Türkiye Today |archive-date=25 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225184130/https://www.turkiyetoday.com/world/growing-evidence-suggests-azerbaijan-airlines-flight-was-targeted-by-missile-strike-97513/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Militarnyi'' noted similarities between this flight and an ], stating that "one can see the similarity of damage and the number of holes in the hull, which probably indicates damage by a high-explosive fragment".<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 December 2024 |title=Baku-Grozny Flight Crashes Over Russia: Evidence Points to Possible Air Defense Hit |url=https://mil.in.ua/en/news/baku-grozny-flight-crashes-over-russia-evidence-points-to-possible-air-defense-hit/ |access-date=25 December 2024 |work=Militarnyi |archive-date=25 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225230632/https://mil.in.ua/en/news/baku-grozny-flight-crashes-over-russia-evidence-points-to-possible-air-defense-hit/ |url-status=live }}</ref> '']'' similarly described evidence suggesting that the jet was hit by Russian air defences.<ref name="Meduza_was_Azerbaijan_Airlines_Embraer_shot_down">{{cite Q|Q131557744 }}</ref>

Osprey Flight Solutions, a United Kingdom-based aviation security firm which provides analysis for airlines still flying into Russia, warned its clients that a Russian military air defence system had likely shot down the aircraft.<ref name="The Telegraph Shootdown">{{cite news |date=26 December 2024 |title=Azerbaijan Airlines plane 'likely shot down by Russian air defences' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/12/25/azerbaijan-airlines-crash-speculation-plane-accident/ |access-date=26 December 2024 |work=] |archive-date=26 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241226000507/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/12/25/azerbaijan-airlines-crash-speculation-plane-accident/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Liebermann |first1=Owen |last2=Tyler |first2=Hassan |last3=Zeinulla |first3=Aruzhan |last4=Nicholls |first4=Catherine |title=Black boxes of downed Azerbaijani jet recovered as questions mount over Russian involvement. Here's what we know |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/12/26/asia/kazakhstan-plane-crash-questions-intl/index.html |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=] |archive-date=26 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241226193448/https://edition.cnn.com/2024/12/26/asia/kazakhstan-plane-crash-questions-intl/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On 27 December, '']'' reported that Azerbaijani investigators believed a Russian Pantsir-S1 air-defence system was responsible for the damage.<ref name=NYT-banging>{{Cite web |last1=Mazaeva |first1=Milana |last2=Nechepurenko |first2=Ivan |date=27 December 2024 |title=A Strange Banging Sound, Chaos and Prayers Before a Plane Crashes |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/27/world/europe/azerbaijan-airlines-crash-kazakhstan-survivors.html |website=New York Times |access-date=28 December 2024 |archive-date=28 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241228070120/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/27/world/europe/azerbaijan-airlines-crash-kazakhstan-survivors.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==See also==
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ], which was shot down over Ukraine on 17 July 2014 during the ]

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}


==References== ==References==
{{reflist}} {{Reflist}}

==External links==
*
{{Aviation accidents and incidents in 2024}} {{Aviation accidents and incidents in 2024}}
{{Aviation accidents and incidents in Russia in the 2020s}}
{{Aviation accidents and incidents in Kazakhstan}} {{Aviation accidents and incidents in Kazakhstan}}
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Latest revision as of 20:01, 3 January 2025

2024 aviation accident in Aktau, Kazakhstan

Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243
4K-AZ65, the aircraft involved in the accident
Occurrence
Date25 December 2024 (2024-12-25)
SummaryCrashed on approach during emergency landing after control failure, under investigation
SiteNear Aktau International Airport, Aktau, Kazakhstan
43°52′57″N 51°0′36″E / 43.88250°N 51.01000°E / 43.88250; 51.01000
Aircraft
Aircraft typeEmbraer 190AR
Aircraft nameGusar
OperatorAzerbaijan Airlines
IATA flight No.J28243
ICAO flight No.AHY8243
Call signAZAL 8243
Registration4K-AZ65
Flight originHeydar Aliyev International Airport, Baku, Azerbaijan
DestinationKadyrov Grozny International Airport, Chechnya, Russia
Occupants67
Passengers62
Crew5
Fatalities38
Injuries29
Survivors29
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    Russian invasion of Ukraine (2024)
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    Naval operations


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    Resistance to the Russian invasion of Ukraine
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  • Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243 was a scheduled international passenger flight from Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku, Azerbaijan, to Kadyrov Grozny International Airport near Grozny, Russia. On 25 December 2024, the Embraer 190AR operating the Azerbaijan Airlines flight was severely damaged by what is believed to be a Russian anti-aircraft missile during the aircraft's approach to Grozny. The aircraft attempted to divert but ultimately crashed near Aktau International Airport in Kazakhstan with 62 passengers and 5 crew on board. Of those 67 people, 38 died in the accident, including both of the pilots and a flight attendant, while 29 people survived with injuries.

    Approximately 40 minutes after takeoff, as the aircraft entered Russian airspace and neared Grozny, the crew reported losing GPS navigational aids, due to jamming. Foggy conditions were also reported by the airport. As the plane approached its destination, 81 minutes into the flight, passengers reported an explosion and shrapnel striking the aircraft. In radio transmissions, the pilots attributed the explosion to a bird strike and requested a diversion. They initiated emergency protocols, including squawking 7700 on the transponder, and redirected the flight over the Caspian Sea toward Aktau.

    However, images from the crash scene revealed perforated holes in the tail section, damage that experts deemed inconsistent with a bird strike but resembling the impact of a surface-to-air missile. On 26 December Euronews reported that, citing Azerbaijani government sources, the plane had been hit mid-flight by a Russian missile during efforts to repel a Ukrainian drone attack on Grozny Airport. Shrapnel from the blast injured several passengers and cabin crew. On 27 December, The New York Times reported that Azerbaijani investigators believed a Russian Pantsir-S1 air-defence system had damaged the plane before it crashed.

    On 28 December Russian President Vladimir Putin apologised to the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, for the "tragic incident" involving the aircraft in Russian airspace. He stated that Ukrainian drones had been targeting Grozny at the time and that Russian air defences had repelled these attacks, but he did not confirm that the flight had been shot down or acknowledge Russian responsibility. On 29 December, President Aliyev said that Russia had accidentally shot down the plane, accused Russia of attempting to obfuscate and "hush up" the crash, and demanded a full admission of guilt, punishment for those responsible, and compensation for the victims and their families.

    Accident

    ADS-B tracking data of the flight in red with its origin (Heydar Aliyev International Airport) marked by the blue airport icon, its intended destination (Kadyrov Grozny International Airport) by the grey airport icon, and the crash site (near Aktau International Airport) by the red fire icon. There is a large gap in the data which begins before the final approach to Grozny; the aircraft's signal was not reacquired until it neared the Caspian Sea coast of Kazakhstan. (map data)

    The aircraft took off from Heydar Aliyev International Airport, Baku, at 07:55 AZT (Azerbaijan Time) on a flight to Kadyrov Grozny International Airport.

    Approximately 40 minutes after takeoff, as the aircraft entered Russian airspace near Grozny, the crew reported to air traffic control that it had lost GPS navigational aids. At the same time, the aircraft’s ADS-B signal, a system used for real-time aircraft tracking, also disappeared. These occurrences strongly indicate that the aircraft was subjected to "GPS jamming." Such interference is prohibited under international regulations established by the International Telecommunication Union and the International Civil Aviation Organization, both of which count Russia as a member. Despite these regulations, GPS jamming has been employed by the Russian military to counter Ukrainian drone operations. GPS jamming has become a recurring issue for flights and is frequently encountered when entering Russian airspace.

    According to ATC transcripts, without GPS, the crew requested a non-directional beacon approach to runway 26. They were cleared to approach at 08:50 AZT (07:50 MSK, local time in Grozny), but due to the fog, the crew aborted the landing and initiated a go-around. They were cleared for a second landing attempt at 09:10 AZT (08:10 MSK), but again due to the fog, the crew aborted the landing and the crew informed controllers that they would be returning to Baku.

    As the plane departed Grozny, passengers reported an explosion and shrapnel striking the aircraft. At 09:16 AZT the crew reported a "control failure" due to a "bird strike in the cockpit." They asked to divert to Mineralnye Vody Airport, but upon hearing the weather, asked instead to divert to Uytash Airport in Makhachkala. Shortly after, at 09:22 AZT, the crew reported a hydraulics failure. Air traffic controllers told the crew not to attempt a landing in Makhachkala due to poor weather. The crew issued a distress signal by squawking 7700 at 09:25, reporting a failure of the control system. At 09:27 AZT, the flight was instructed to contact the Rostov area control center.

    At 09:49 the pilots requested an emergency landing at Aktau International Airport and attempted to manage the approach in direct mode, with the estimated landing time set for 10:25 (11:25 Kazakhstan time AQTT, UTC+05:00). At 10:00 (11:00 AQTT), the Emergency Situations Department of the Mangystau Region sent emergency response teams and resources to Aktau airport.

    The plane entered Kazakh airspace at 10:02, reappearing on ADS-B at 10:07 while flying over the Caspian Sea towards Aktau. Altitude and speed data from ADS-B transmissions indicated the aircraft experienced extremely varying altitude and speed values.

    Unable to land at the first attempt, the aircraft initiated a go-around manoeuvre to re-position for another runway approach. As it was making a third turn, at 10:28, communication between the pilots and air traffic control was lost. At 10:30, the airliner struck the ground three kilometres (1.9 mi; 1.6 nmi) from the airport, with its right wing hitting first. It then tumbled, exploded, and broke into two major pieces. The explosion, combined with the fire that broke out after the plane crashed, destroyed the front section of the plane. The tail section of the plane came to rest upside down away from the main wreckage, and remained largely intact. The crash was captured on video, which showed that the landing gear was deployed when the plane hit the ground. In response, additional resources and personnel from the Emergency Situations Department, initially stationed at the Aktau airport, arrived at the scene at 10:35 and were deployed at an elevated emergency rank, extinguishing the fire by 11:05 AZT (12:05 AQTT). A surviving crew member said that the pilots initially ordered them to prepare for a water landing before changing to a ground landing.

    Of the 67 people on board, 29 survived, and 38 died. The youngest fatality was a 13-year-old boy. Of the five crew members aboard, two flight attendants survived, and both pilots and one flight attendant were killed. Authorities said all of the fatalities occurred at the scene. The 29 survivors, including two children, were hospitalised following the accident for injuries that included closed craniocerebral injuries, brain concussion, closed chest injuries, and traumatic shocks. Eleven of them were in critical condition. Most of the survivors were believed to have been seated in the rear section of the aircraft.

    Timeline of crash

    Azerbaijan Time (UTC+4) Event
    07:55 Flight takes off
    08:25 Flight's ADS-B signal disappears
    08:36 Due to GPS signal loss, pilots request a non-directional beacon approach from Grozny air control
    08:50 Flight cleared to make first landing attempt at Grozny
    09:10 Flight cleared to make second landing attempt at Grozny
    09:16 Pilots report a "loss of control due to bird strike", request weather report at MinVody airport

    Passengers subsequently report an explosion around this time

    09:21 Russian Air Traffic Control reportedly receives the closed-skies notification
    09:22 Pilots report a "hydraulics failure"
    09:25 Pilots commence squawking 7700
    09:27 Grozny air control instructs pilots to contact Rostov area control center
    09:49 Pilots request emergency landing
    10:00 Emergency land response deployed
    10:02 Flight enters Kazakhstan's airspace
    10:07 Flight's ADS-B signal reappears
    10:28 Radio communication failure
    10:29 Flight continues to circle around the airport, attempting to land
    10:30 Flight collides with ground while attempting to land
    10:35 Emergency responders arrive to the crash site
    11:05 Emergency responders extinguish the fire and recover the victims
    11:15 Investigators search the wreckage for the flight recorders and the engines

    Background

    Aircraft

    The aircraft involved, which was manufactured in 2013, was an Embraer 190AR, registered as 4K-AZ65, and named Gusar after the Azerbaijan regional capital city. It was powered by two General Electric CF34-10E6 engines, and underwent its last maintenance on 18 October 2024. It made its first flight on 22 July 2013 and was owned by Azerbaijan Airlines. Since 2013, the aircraft was operated by the airline, except from 2017 to 2023, when it flew under the airline's subsidiary Buta Airways. The aircraft was 11 years old at the time of the crash.

    Passengers and crew

    The aircraft was carrying sixty-two passengers. Of those, thirty-seven people were citizens of Azerbaijan, sixteen of Russia, six of Kazakhstan, and three of Kyrgyzstan. Four minors were on board.

    The aircraft had a crew of five: two pilots and three flight attendants, all of whom were Azerbaijanis. Captain Igor Kshnyakin was the pilot in command while his copilot was First Officer Aleksandr Kalyaninov. Kshnyakin had over 15,000 hours of flight time. The pilots of the plane and flight attendant Hokuma Aliyeva were buried at the II Alley of Honor. President Ilham Aliyev posthumously awarded them the title of National Hero of Azerbaijan, while the two surviving crew members, Zulfiqar Asadov and Aydan Rahimli, were awarded the Order of "Rashadat" (Courage) of the 1st degree.

    Nationalities
    Country Passengers Crew Total Surviving
    passengers
    Surviving
    crew
    Reference
    Azerbaijan 37 5 42 14 2
    Kazakhstan 6 6
    Kyrgyzstan 3 3 3
    Russia 16 16 9
    Total 62 5 67 26 2

    Aftermath

    Transportation to Moscow of Russian citizens injured in the crash of Flight 8243

    Following the accident, a state of emergency was declared in Tupkaragan District, where the aircraft crashed. A total of 482 emergency response personnel, 97 pieces of special equipment, 10 canine brigades, and 2 aircraft were deployed to the crash site. Additional doctors were flown in from Astana to treat the injured. The Blood Centre of the Mangystau Region reached out to the public, asking that healthy people donate blood. Soon after, residents of Aktau arrived at the centre to donate their blood, with around 300 participating. Residents of Astana also lined up at the city's blood centre to donate blood. The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations flew equipment and medical workers to Kazakhstan to help with the response to the crash. It later airlifted Russian nationals injured in the accident to Moscow. On 26 December, seven injured Azerbaijanis were repatriated by Baku's Ministry of Emergency Situations.

    A Republican headquarters was created on the basis of Kazakhstan's Emergencies Ministry Command Centre, which included representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Healthcare, the Ministry of Transport, the National Guard, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other agencies. A blogger, Azamat Sarsenbayev, was arrested and ordered detained for 10 days after taking photos and video of the crash site. The Kazakh police claimed that Sarsenbayev operated a drone, obstructed rescue operations and refused to obey police orders. Meanwhile, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev issued awards to employees of Astana's Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Mangistau Electric Grid Company and Aktau International Airport as well as health workers and police officers involved in the response to the crash.

    A crisis centre was established at the Russian consulate in Oral. Diplomatic staff were also sent to the crash site. Representatives from the Azerbaijani consulate in Aktau were also deployed to the crash site. A special medical team and related equipment were also dispatched from Azerbaijan. On the day of the accident, one of the aircraft's two flight recorders was located by a search team. The second was confirmed to be recovered the next day.

    Azerbaijan Airlines suspended its Baku–Grozny–Baku and Baku–Makhachkala–Baku flights for the duration of the investigation. It also opened a hotline for relatives of those on board and changed its social media profiles to black as a sign of mourning. The Israeli flag carrier El Al suspended flights from Tel Aviv to Moscow for a week "citing developments in Russia's airspace". It later extended the suspension until the end of March 2025. On 27 December Azerbaijan Airlines also suspended flights to Sochi, Volgograd, Ufa, Samara, Mineralnye Vody, Nizhny Novgorod, Vladikavkaz and Saratov, citing "security reasons", likely due to the investigation finding anti aircraft missile damage in the aircraft. Qazaq Air also suspended its flights from Astana to Yekaterinburg until 27 January 2025 citing similar concerns. FlyDubai also suspended flights to Sochi and Mineralnye Vody for a few days.

    According to Azerbaijani government sources, preliminary investigation indicated that the accident was caused by a Russian missile. The Kremlin has stated it would not comment on the causes of the crash until the results of the investigation are announced. NATO called for a comprehensive investigation.

    Azerbaijan Airlines said it would pay 20,000 manats (approximately US$12,000) as compensation to each of the injured passengers, and 40,000 manats (approximately US$23,000) to the families of those who were killed. All surviving passengers will also receive the relevant insurance payment in accordance with Azerbaijani law.

    Reactions

    Commemoration of the flight at Heydar Aliyev Airport in Baku, Azerbaijan, 26 December 2024

    Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev was en route to the Commonwealth of Independent States summit in Saint Petersburg, Russia, when news of the accident broke out, leading him to return to Baku, where he held an emergency meeting on the accident shortly after landing at Baku airport. He declared a day of national mourning for 26 December and later expressed thanks for Kazakh officials for their response to the disaster. First lady and vice president Mehriban Aliyeva also expressed condolences, as did Prime Minister Ali Asadov. Condolences to Azerbaijan were expressed by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Russian President Vladimir Putin as well as leaders from countries outside the flight's path.

    Flowers were laid at the Azerbaijani embassy in Astana in mourning for the victims. Amid reports that the aircraft was fired at during a Ukrainian drone attack, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for a "thorough investigation", adding that visual evidence at the crash site "points to Russia's responsibility". On 28 December Zelenskyy called Aliyev, expressed condolences and support to Azerbaijan and stated that "Russia must provide clear explanations and stop spreading disinformation". White House spokesperson John Kirby said that the United States had seen "early indications" that Russia may have been responsible for the crash, adding that Washington had offered to assist in the investigation. European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas also said the crash was a "stark reminder" of the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 in 2014 and called for a "swift, independent international investigation".

    A moment of silence was held at noon across Azerbaijan to mark the day of national mourning on 26 December. It was decided that the matches of the eighth round of Azerbaijan Futsal Premier League and the Azerbaijan National Futsal Cup scheduled for 26 December will begin with a one-minute silence. Due to the day of national mourning, the matches of the Azerbaijan Taekwondo Championship, as well as the Azerbaijan Wrestling Championship scheduled for 26 December, were postponed. All cultural and mass events planned in theatre and concert venues on that date were also postponed.

    On 27 December, Dmitry Yadrov, head of Russia's civil aviation authority Rosaviatsia, said that Ukrainian drones attacked Grozny as the plane was about to land in thick fog, prompting authorities to close the area to air traffic.

    On 27 December, Azerbaijani media reported that head of the Chechen Republic Ramzan Kadyrov attempted to contact president Aliyev privately and offered "financial support" for the victims, which was interpreted as a personal admission of responsibility and an attempt to resolve the case quietly without public apology. This request was denied and negatively received in Baku. A day of mourning was declared for 28 December in Chechnya by order of Kadyrov.

    According to the Flight Safety Foundation's Aviation Safety Network, it would be the third major shooting down of a civilian aircraft linked to armed conflict since 2014, along with Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 and Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752. Iran Air Flight 655 was shot down near a war zone in 1988. The Wall Street Journal highlighted the risks of civil aviation near war zones, stating that accidental shooting down of civilian aircraft has become the leading cause of deaths in commercial aviation in recent years. On 28 December, Putin apologised to Aliyev for the "tragic incident involving the aircraft that occurred in Russian airspace", but did not confirm that the flight had been shot down and did not take responsibility. He also added that Ukrainian drones had been targeting Grozny and that Russian air defence systems had been activated to respond to the attack. He said that at that time the cities of Grozny, Mozdok and Vladikavkaz "were attacked by Ukrainian combat drones, and Russian air defence systems repelled these attacks." The Kremlin said Russia had launched a criminal investigation into the incident and would cooperate with Azerbaijani prosecutors.

    Azerbaijani commentators summarised their expectations in relation to the disaster, regarding Russia's apology, the prosecution of those responsible, and compensation payments. They noted that, while Putin had offered a vague apology, he never officially responded to the other two requests.

    Azerbaijani officials have claimed that the pilots were denied permission to conduct an emergency landing at any airport in Russia, forcing them to change course to Aktau, an alleged attempt to hide evidence in the hopes the aircraft would crash into the Caspian Sea.

    Investigation

    Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in a cabinet meeting in connection with the plane crash, 25 December 2024

    Both Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan opened commissions to investigate the disaster. The Kazakh commission was headed by deputy prime minister Qanat Bozymbaev, while Kazakh emergencies minister Chingis Arinov also visited Aktau. The Azerbaijani commission was headed by Prime Minister Ali Asadov. Azerbaijan sent a delegation consisting of its emergency situations minister, deputy general prosecutor, and the vice president of Azerbaijan Airlines to Aktau to conduct an on-site investigation. It also invited a group of civil aviation experts from Turkey for assistance. Embraer said it would assist in the investigation. It along with the Brazilian air incident investigation agency CENIPA sent representatives to Kazakhstan. Kazakh authorities have reportedly sent the FDR and CVR to Brazil, where they would be examined by CENIPA. Russia also opened an investigation initially headed by the Western Inter-regional Investigation Department for Transport and later the Investigative Committee.

    On 26 December Kazakhstan said that law enforcement officials from Russia and Azerbaijan were not allowed to participate in the forensic investigation, citing existing laws. On 27 December, Azerbaijan rejected a proposal by Russia and Kazakhstan to have the accident investigated by the Interstate Aviation Committee of the Commonwealth of Independent States, saying that it wanted the investigation to be conducted by international experts and Embraer specialists. President Ilham Aliyev cited issues of objectivity caused by the predominance of Russian officials in the committee as a reason for the refusal.

    In the initial aftermath, Azerbaijan Airlines stated that bird strikes could have caused the plane to crash, with Azerbaijan Airlines President Samir Rzayev, speaking to journalists, ruling out a technical failure as a potential cause. Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency suggested that based on preliminary information, the request for emergency landing was due to a bird strike. Later, Kazakhstan's emergency services reported that an oxygen cylinder on board might have exploded.

    The bird strike hypothesis was soon questioned, as images from the scene showed significant perforations on the tail surfaces. Survivors of the crash reported hearing an explosion followed by shrapnel hitting the plane and some passengers. The crew had reported a strong impact on the fuselage from what was initially assumed to have been birds. Multiple experts from multiple countries stated that the damage in the images were not consistent with a bird strike, and that birds do not fly at the altitude that the plane was flying when the initial damage occurred.

    On 26 December Azerbaijani government sources stated to AnewZ and Euronews that a Russian Pantsir-S1 had fired a missile at the aircraft above Grozny, detonating near the plane, injuring passengers and crew members. According to the same sources, despite the pilots' requests to perform an emergency landing, they were denied to do so at any Russian airport, instead being ordered to fly towards Aktau. Subsequent analysis indicated that the missile explosion occurred at an altitude of 2,400 metres (7,900 ft) over Naursky District, 18 kilometres (11 mi) north-northwest of Grozny airport. According to Russian sources, as Flight 8243 flew over Chechen airspace, Russian air defence forces were actively engaging Ukrainian drones. On the morning of 25 December, the head of the Security Council of the Chechen Republic, Khamzat Kadyrov, confirmed that Grozny had been attacked by drones. He stated that there were no casualties or damage resulting from the accident. Azerbaijani media also published similar reports, citing Euronews' statement.

    Four sources in Azerbaijan with knowledge of the investigation informed Reuters that the airplane was downed by a Russian air defence system. According to one of the sources, preliminary investigation showed that the plane was hit by a Russian Pantsir-S air defence system, and its communication systems were jammed by electronic warfare systems when approaching Grozny. In response, Azerbaijani MP Rasim Musabayov demanded from Russia an official apology and bringing to justice those responsible, adding that otherwise "relations will be affected".

    In the article published in The Times on 27 December, an American pilot and two French experts analysed the post-crash video, and stated that the plane was probably hit by a missile. The article stated that after losing all flight control systems, the pilots attempted to make an emergency landing. Experts reported that videos taken before and after the crash indicate that shrapnel pierced the rear of the aircraft, disabling all three parallel hydraulic systems located in the wings and tail section. When the control systems failed, the crew likely tried to manage the aircraft's pitch and roll angles by independently adjusting the thrust power of the two engines.

    On 27 December the Azerbaijani minister of digital development and transportation Rashad Nabiyev said that preliminary results showed that Flight 8243 crashed due to "physical and technical external interference" from an unspecified weapon.

    That same day Rosaviatsia declared that a closed-skies protocol "Kovyor" had been imposed in Grozny on the day of the crash, citing the presence of Ukrainian drones.

    On 29 December President Aliyev said that the aircraft was shot down by Russia unintentionally and criticised Moscow for trying to "hush up" the incident and initially releasing "delirious versions" of what happened. He also acknowledged Putin's apology over the disaster, while demanding that Russia admit responsibility, punish those culpable and pay compensation to Azerbaijan and the victims. The next day, the Azerbaijani General Prosecutor said that he was told by the head of Russia's Investigative Committee that "intensive measures are being carried out to identify the guilty people and bring them to criminal responsibility".

    Hypotheses

    Pantsir missile launcher

    Flight 8243 was flying in an area where Russia claims to have recently downed Ukrainian drones attacking Russia as part of the Russo-Ukrainian War when it crashed. According to Flightradar24, Flight 8243 encountered GPS interference, with invalid ADS-B position data starting at 04:25 UTC due to significant interference.

    Damage to the plane included apparent shrapnel marks on the vertical stabilizer and wings, suggesting an explosion nearby. Witness accounts reported injuries, with one woman wounded in the leg, and another witness's life jacket pierced by shrapnel. Military analyst Yan Matveyev suggested that Russian anti-aircraft systems, possibly the Pantsir-S1, may have mistaken the plane for a UAV due to a failure in the Pantsir's friend-or-foe identification system. Speaking to Türkiye Today, aviation analyst Richard Aboulafia challenged the bird strike hypothesis, saying "You can lose control of the plane, but you don't fly wildly off course as a consequence." Türkiye Today noted that the extensive shrapnel damage patterns across the aircraft's fuselage and tail section were inconsistent with damage from bird strikes, instead resembling those of impacts of anti-aircraft ammunition, adding that "The concentration of puncture holes in the tail section suggests a possible loss of hydraulic systems, similar to the United Airlines Flight 232 accident". Militarnyi noted similarities between this flight and an Ilyushin Il-22PP damaged by an anti-aircraft missile, stating that "one can see the similarity of damage and the number of holes in the hull, which probably indicates damage by a high-explosive fragment". Meduza similarly described evidence suggesting that the jet was hit by Russian air defences.

    Osprey Flight Solutions, a United Kingdom-based aviation security firm which provides analysis for airlines still flying into Russia, warned its clients that a Russian military air defence system had likely shot down the aircraft. On 27 December, The New York Times reported that Azerbaijani investigators believed a Russian Pantsir-S1 air-defence system was responsible for the damage.

    See also

    Notes

    1. All times referenced to Azerbaijan Time (AZT, UTC+04:00)

    References

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    Aviation accidents and incidents in 2024 (2024)
    Jan 2 Haneda Airport runway collisionJan 5 Alaska Airlines Flight 1282Jan 23 Northwestern Air Flight 738Jan 24 Korochansky Ilyushin Il-76 crashFeb 9 Hop-A-Jet Flight 823Feb 9 Orbic Air Eurocopter EC130 crashFeb 18 Air Serbia Flight 324Mar 5 Safarilink Aviation Flight 053Mar 11 LATAM Airlines Flight 800Mar 12 Ivanovo Ilyushin Il-76 crashMar 31 Malakal Airport collisionApr 23 Lumut mid-air collisionMay 19 Varzaqan helicopter crashMay 21 Singapore Airlines Flight 321Jun 10 Chikangawa Dornier 228 crashJul 12 Gazpromavia Flight 9608Jul 24 Saurya Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 crashJul 26 Gillette Pilatus PC-12 crashAug 9 Voepass Flight 2283Aug 22 Thai Flying Service Flight 209Aug 31 Kamchatka Mil Mi-8 crashSep 8 Pasaquina Bell UH-1 crashSep 28 Mari Petroleum Mil Mi-8 crashOct 21 Darfur Ilyushin Il-76 shootdownNov 9 Total Linhas Aéreas Flight 5682Nov 25 Swiftair Flight 5960Dec 18 San Fernando Challenger 300 crashDec 22 Gramado Piper PA-42 crashDec 23 Swiss International Air Lines Flight 1885Dec 25 Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243Dec 29 Jeju Air Flight 2216Dec 29 Jazirah Aviation crash
    2023   ◄    ►   2025
    Aviation accidents and incidents in the Russian Federation in the 2020s
    2020
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    2024
    2010–2019 ◄ 2020–2029 ► 2030–2039
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    This includes accidents in the Kazakh SSR and post-independence Kazakhstan.
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