One year has passed since the crash
One year has passed since the passenger aircraft belonging to “Azerbaijan Airlines” CJSC (AZAL), operating a regular flight J2-8243 from Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Russian Federation, and registered in the state registry under number 4K-AZ65 as an Embraer 190-100 IGW, crashed near Aktau Airport in the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
APA recalls that as a result of the crash, two flight crew members (the captain and the first officer), the senior flight attendant, and 35 passengers were killed.
Thanks to the pilots’ professionalism, 29 lives were saved
Despite the human losses and injuries, thanks to the high professionalism, heroism, and courage of the pilots and flight attendants, the aircraft made an emergency landing, making it possible to save the lives of 29 people. After information about the expected emergency landing in the Republic of Kazakhstan was received, the necessary rescue operations were immediately carried out, and the survivors were evacuated and provided with medical assistance.
The President was informed of the incident while in Russian airspace
On December 25, 2024, while en route to the Russian Federation to attend the informal summit of the heads of state of CIS member countries in St. Petersburg, President Ilham Aliyev was informed about the plane crash while in the Russian airspace and promptly instructed the aircraft to return. While still on board the aircraft, President Aliyev issued the necessary instructions to relevant state bodies to investigate the causes of the crash and take urgent measures.
As soon as the plane landed at Heydar Aliyev International Airport, President Ilham Aliyev convened a meeting to address the incident and gave the necessary instructions.
Criminal cases launched in Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan
According to the Prosecutor General’s Office of Azerbaijan, a criminal case was initiated by the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Azerbaijan in connection with the crash of the AZAL aircraft in Aktau under Articles 262.3 (violation of air transport safety and operating rules resulting in the death of two or more persons through negligence) and 314.3 (negligence resulting in the death of two or more persons) of the Criminal Code, and the preliminary investigation was entrusted to the Investigation Department of the Prosecutor General’s Office.
By order of the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, a State Commission was established to investigate the crash of the AZAL aircraft. The commission is headed by Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev. At the same time, a criminal case was opened under the article related to violation of safety rules during the operation of transport vehicles, resulting in the death of two or more persons through negligence.
Farewell ceremony held for fallen crew members
On December 29, 2024, a farewell ceremony was held at Heydar Aliyev International Airport for the crew members who lost their lives in the crash of the Embraer-190 passenger aircraft operating the Baku–Grozny flight. President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva attended the ceremony.
The pilots Igor Kshnyakin and Alexander Kalyaninov, and flight attendant Hokuma Aliyeva, who were killed in the AZAL plane crash in Kazakhstan, were buried in the II Alley of Honor.
Crew members awarded the title of “National Hero of Azerbaijan”
President Ilham Aliyev signed an Order on awarding individuals who demonstrated high professionalism and bravery during the incident involving the Embraer 190 passenger aircraft of Azerbaijan Airlines Closed Joint Stock Company on its flight from Baku to Grozny (Russian Federation).
Under the Order, for showing high professionalism, bravery, and dedication in fulfilling their duties and saving passengers’ lives during the incident, Kshnyakin Igor Ivanovich (posthumously), Kalyaninov Alexander Georgievich (posthumously), and Aliyeva Hokuma Jalil gizi (posthumously) were awarded the title of “National Hero of Azerbaijan,” while Asadov Zulfiqar Sardar oglu and Rahimli Aydan Vagif gizi were awarded the Order of "Rashadat" (Courage) of the 1st Degree.
President Ilham Aliyev’s position on the crash
On December 29, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev was interviewed by Azerbaijan Television at Heydar Aliyev International Airport. In the interview, he stated that the initial versions were quite reasonable and based on facts.
“The facts indicate that the Azerbaijani civilian plane was damaged from the outside over Russian territory, near the city of Grozny, and almost lost control. We also know that means of electronic warfare put our plane out of control. This was the first impact on the plane. At the same time, as a result of fire from the ground, the tail of the plane was also severely damaged. Immediately, on the same day, our team captured this video footage from the city of Aktau and informed the public about it. The fact that the fuselage is riddled with holes indicates that the theory of the plane hitting a flock of birds, which was brought up by someone, is completely removed from the agenda. It is possible that when the plane was damaged, when it was hit, the pilot could have perceived it as a collision with birds. Because it would probably never have occurred to anyone that our plane might be fired at from the ground while flying over a country friendly to us. Unfortunately, however, some circles in Russia preferred to put forward this theory. Another regrettable and surprising moment for us was that official Russian agencies put forward theories about the explosion of a gas cylinder on board the plane. In other words, this clearly showed that the Russian side wanted to cover up the issue, which, of course, is unbecoming of anyone. Of course, our plane was hit by accident. Of course, there can be no talk of a deliberate act of terror here. Therefore, admitting guilt, apologizing in a timely manner to Azerbaijan, which is considered a friendly country, and informing the public about this – these were measures and steps that should have been taken. Unfortunately, for the first three days, we heard nothing from Russia except for some absurd theories,” the head of state noted.
President Ilham Aliyev stated that the details of the crash would be fully investigated.
Highly praising the actions of the aircraft crew, the President also outlined Azerbaijan’s expectations and demands from Russia regarding the incident.
“We have clearly expressed our demands to the Russian side. These demands were officially communicated to them on 27 December. What do these demands consist of? First of all, the Russian side must apologize to Azerbaijan. Secondly, it must acknowledge its guilt. Thirdly, those responsible must be punished, brought to criminal responsibility, and compensation must be paid to the Azerbaijani state, to the injured passengers and crew members. These are our conditions,” the head of state emphasized.
Meeting with families and compensation decision
On January 6, 2025, President Ilham Aliyev met with the family members of the crew who died in the plane crash and with the surviving flight attendants.
At the meeting, the head of state once again declared that the Azerbaijani state would see this matter and this investigation through to its conclusion.
By decision of the Supervisory Board of Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC, it was determined that each injured passenger on board the Embraer 190 aircraft operating the Baku–Grozny flight J2-8243, which crashed in Kazakhstan on December 25, 2024, would receive 20,000 manats in compensation, and the families of those who lost their lives in the crash would receive 40,000 manats.
Preliminary report: technical failure and bird strike versions not confirmed
In February 2025, the Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan published the “Preliminary report on the investigation of the aviation accident involving the Embraer-190 aircraft of Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC.” The Center for Investigation and Prevention of Aircraft Accidents (CENIPA) completed the analysis of the black box data. Flight data were extracted from the recorders of the AZAL aircraft that crashed near Aktau. The data from the Embraer 190 were sent to Kazakh officials investigating the accident.
The preliminary report states that in accordance with Annex 13 to the 1944 Chicago Convention, to which Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are parties, Kazakhstan, as the state in which the incident occurred, initiated the investigation. The purpose of this investigation is to ensure flight and aviation safety, not to determine guilt. In line with international aviation standards, the results aim to establish the objective causes of the accident and provide recommendations to ICAO and interested parties to prevent similar incidents in the future. Azerbaijan participated in the investigation as the state of the aircraft operator and owner. Azerbaijani representatives took part in all stages of the investigation, including site inspections, documentation through photo and video recording, and the reading of black box (CVFDR) data at Brazil’s Center for Investigation and Prevention of Aircraft Accidents (CENIPA), as well as the collection of additional information and evidence.
For information, it was noted that the CVR (Cockpit Voice Recorder) records radio transmissions and sounds in the cockpit, such as pilots’ voices and ambient noises, while the FDR (Flight Data Recorder) records key flight operation parameters such as time, altitude, speed, course, and aircraft position. The Embraer 190-100 IGW aircraft was equipped with two CVFDR devices combining both functions. According to ICAO requirements, the investigating state must submit a report containing preliminary factual information to ICAO and interested parties within 30 days. The Kazakh investigation commission involved Azerbaijani representatives in preparing this report.
The preliminary report confirms the following facts:
- On December 25, 2024, the Embraer 190-100 IGW aircraft belonging to Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC, registered under number 4K-AZ65 and operating regular flight J2-8243 from Baku to Grozny, was fully airworthy at the start of the flight and during the segment up to Grozny. This information, including the airworthiness of the aircraft and its control systems, was confirmed by FDR data.
- Both engines of the aircraft operated without any technical problems until the moment of the accident (confirmed by FDR data).
- While operating in Russian airspace, including over Grozny Airport, the aircraft experienced loss of GPS signals.
- After being unable to perform a second landing attempt over Grozny due to unfavorable weather conditions, the captain decided to return to Baku. Following this decision, two external sounds were recorded on the CVR over Grozny at an interval of 24 seconds.
- Comparison of CVR and FDR data showed that 4 seconds after the first external sound, the third hydraulic system failed; after 6 seconds, the first hydraulic system failed; and after 21 seconds, the second hydraulic system failed.
- Numerous through and blind damages were discovered on the aircraft fuselage and documented by photo and video recording. These damages were found mainly on the rear fuselage, particularly on the vertical and horizontal stabilizers, as well as on the left wing and left engine.
- Information was provided indicating that the fuselage damage was formed as a result of the impact of external objects. The preliminary report did not present any facts indicating a bird strike.
- Foreign objects not belonging to the aircraft were found in the blind damages of the wreckage, collected, and their photographs were presented to the public in the preliminary report. Additional expert examinations were planned to determine the exact origin of these objects.
- At 05:13:32, the aircraft lost its main control systems; at 05:21:42, the coordinating dispatcher informed Grozny about the “Kover” operation.
- No information confirming an oxygen cylinder explosion was recorded.
Excerpts from photo, audio, and digital recordings confirming these facts were included in the preliminary report.
Under the Chicago Convention, after the preparation of the preliminary report, a final report on the causes of the accident must be prepared within one year from the date of the crash. Work on preparing the final report has begun by the Republic of Kazakhstan and other states participating in the investigation.
On October 9, 2025, ahead of the CIS Heads of State Summit held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, the leaders of Azerbaijan and Russia discussed difficulties that had arisen around a number of issues between the two countries.
The first issue raised for discussion was the aviation accident involving the AZAL aircraft that occurred in December of the previous year. The Russian President spoke about the causes of the accident.
“I would like to begin our meeting with the most sensitive topic – the aviation tragedy that occurred in our airspace. Even back then, in our first phone conversation, I not only apologized for the fact that the tragedy occurred in Russian skies, but also expressed my sincere condolences to the families of the victims. I would like to reiterate all of that and say that, as we agreed, we are certainly providing every possible assistance to the investigation. The investigation is nearing completion,” Putin said.
On December 3, 2025, Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Kanat Bozumbayev stated that the investigation by the Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan into the crash of the AZAL aircraft near Aktau Airport is in its final stage, and the results may be presented in 2025 or early 2026. According to him, the investigation is divided into two parts. There is a criminal investigation conducted by the Prosecutor General’s Office, during which the Kazakh side maintains contact with Russian and Azerbaijani colleagues. “The second part concerns the investigation by the Ministry of Transport. The Ministry’s investigation is in its final stage. Therefore, we are now awaiting final conclusions from licensors, technology owners, air navigation equipment, and others,” Bozumbayev said, adding that there is also progress in the Prosecutor General’s investigation.
The Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan announced that it is awaiting the results of investigations from two foreign laboratories, after which the final report on the crash of the AZAL aircraft near Aktau will be published. According to ICAO rules, the final report on an air accident investigation must be published within 12 months of the incident.
The investigation is currently ongoing.
