In a key development following the accident involving an Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer E190 near Aktau Airport in Kazakhstan, search and rescue teams confirmed the recovery of at least one of the aircraft’s black boxes. These devices contain crucial data on pilot conversations and flight parameters.
The disaster, which occurred on December 25, resulted in 38 fatalities, according to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations. Another 29 occupants were rushed to hospitals in the city, some in critical condition, where they continue to receive medical attention.
Rescue crews, focused on analyzing the wreckage, managed to locate the flight recorders, essential elements for clarifying the circumstances of the accident. Investigations at the site are ongoing, with efforts to collect and analyze parts of the wrecked aircraft’s structure, according to a report from our partner outlet, AEROIN.
The aircraft, carrying 67 people, including five crew members, made an emergency landing approximately 3 kilometers from Aktau Airport after being diverted from its original destination in Grozny due to deteriorating weather conditions.
The impact split the fuselage into two large sections, separated by about 300 meters, and caused a fire that was brought under control by firefighters roughly 30 minutes after their arrival at the scene.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev responded promptly upon being informed of the accident, returning from a conference in St. Petersburg. Aliyev ordered the opening of a criminal investigation led by Azerbaijan’s general prosecutor’s office. According to the president’s initial statements, the aircraft changed its route due to adverse weather conditions in Grozny and was redirected to Aktau.
Aliyev emphasized that the causes of the accident remain unknown and that, while various theories are circulating, it would be premature to speculate without a thorough investigation. Meanwhile, the aircraft manufacturer, Embraer, stated that it is closely monitoring the situation and pledged full cooperation with the relevant authorities in the investigations.
