Authorities in Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Russia are currently conducting investigations into a deadly plane crash that occurred on December 25, 2024. The Embraer-190, operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, was en route from Baku to Grozny when it tragically went down near Aktau, resulting in the loss of 38 lives among the 62 passengers and five crew on board. Miraculously, 29 individuals survived the ordeal.
After attempts at emergency landing compromised by adverse weather conditions, the plane's situation worsened with reports of radar jamming and altitude control issues. Flightradar24 indicated the aircraft did not send out any radar data for part of its journey. This anomaly, coupled with images from the crash site showing puncture damage, has sparked concerns about the possibility of the aircraft being hit by Russian air defenses during ongoing local drone conflicts.
The timing of the crash coinciding with drone strikes in the vicinity adds further weight to these suspicions. Osprey Flight Solutions, an aviation security firm, suggested that misidentification by air defenses of the Embraer-190 could have resulted in the tragedy. The Kremlin, however, calls for patience in withholding judgment, noting that the investigation is in its early stages.
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev has also emphasized that it would be premature to draw conclusions while investigations are ongoing. In light of the crash, Azerbaijan Airlines has temporarily suspended flights between Baku and Grozny as authorities work to clarify the circumstances surrounding this disaster.
The tragedy serves as a solemn reminder of the unpredictable nature of air travel, particularly in regions affected by military conflict. As investigations advance, more details will emerge about the safety and security of aviation in such volatile areas.
After attempts at emergency landing compromised by adverse weather conditions, the plane's situation worsened with reports of radar jamming and altitude control issues. Flightradar24 indicated the aircraft did not send out any radar data for part of its journey. This anomaly, coupled with images from the crash site showing puncture damage, has sparked concerns about the possibility of the aircraft being hit by Russian air defenses during ongoing local drone conflicts.
The timing of the crash coinciding with drone strikes in the vicinity adds further weight to these suspicions. Osprey Flight Solutions, an aviation security firm, suggested that misidentification by air defenses of the Embraer-190 could have resulted in the tragedy. The Kremlin, however, calls for patience in withholding judgment, noting that the investigation is in its early stages.
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev has also emphasized that it would be premature to draw conclusions while investigations are ongoing. In light of the crash, Azerbaijan Airlines has temporarily suspended flights between Baku and Grozny as authorities work to clarify the circumstances surrounding this disaster.
The tragedy serves as a solemn reminder of the unpredictable nature of air travel, particularly in regions affected by military conflict. As investigations advance, more details will emerge about the safety and security of aviation in such volatile areas.
