BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. On the
anniversary of the crash of an aircraft operated by Azerbaijan
Airlines (AZAL) on the Baku-Grozny route near the city of Aktau,
the graves of the fallen crew members were visited at the Second
Alley of Honor, Trend reports.


Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev,
AZAL President Samir Rzayev, AZAL employees, and family members of
the victims paid tribute at the graves of National Heroes Hokuma
Aliyeva, Igor Kshnyakin, and Aleksandr Kalyaninov, honoring their
memory and service.


To recall, on December 25, 2024, an Embraer 190-100 IGW
passenger aircraft, registered in the state register under number
4K-AZ65 and owned by Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC (AZAL), crashed in
the Republic of Kazakhstan near Aktau Airport while performing
regular flight J2-8243 from Baku (Republic of Azerbaijan) to Grozny
(Russian Federation). Two crew members (the captain and co-pilot),
the senior flight attendant, and 35 passengers were lost in the
crash.


The preliminary report published by the Ministry of Transport of
Kazakhstan confirms the following facts:


1. The Embraer 190-100 IGW passenger aircraft, registered under
the number 4K-AZ65 and owned by Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC (AZAL),
operating a regular flight J2-8243 from Baku, Republic of
Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Russian Federation, has been in a fully
operational condition since the start of the flight on the route to
Grozny and is in good condition for flights. These data on the
airworthiness of the aircraft, including the operation of its
control systems, were confirmed using FDR data.


2. Both engines of the aircraft were operating without technical
problems until the moment of the accident. This information is also
confirmed by FDR data.


3. During the flight in the airspace of the Russian Federation,
including over Grozny Airport, the aircraft lost GPS signals.


4. Due to adverse weather conditions over Grozny, the aircraft
was unable to make a second approach for landing, after which the
captain decided to return to Baku. After this decision was made
over Grozny, two external sounds were recorded on the CVR at
24-second intervals.


5. A comparison of CVR and FDR data showed that 4 seconds after
the first external sound, the third hydraulic system failed; 6
seconds later, the first hydraulic system failed; and 21 seconds
later, the second hydraulic system failed.







6. Numerous blunt and penetrating damages to the fuselage were
found and recorded in photographs and video recordings. This damage
was found in the rear of the fuselage, the vast majority of which
was on the vertical and horizontal stabilizers, as well as the left
wing and left engine.


7. Information was provided that the damage found in the
aircraft fuselage was caused by external objects. The preliminary
report does not contain any information indicating that the
aircraft collided with birds.


8. Foreign objects not belonging to the aircraft, found in the
blind damage to the fuselage, were removed; their photographs are
presented to the public in the preliminary report. To accurately
determine the origin of the foreign objects found, additional
examinations are planned in the future.


9. At 05:13:32, the aircraft's main control systems failed; at
05:21:42, the liaison officer reported to Grozny that Operation
Carpet was underway.


10. No information indicating an oxygen cylinder explosion has
been provided.


Under the requirements of the ICAO Chicago Convention, a final
report on the causes of the crash must be prepared within one year
of the incident, following the preliminary report.


Notably, by the decree of the President of the Republic of
Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, dated December 29, 2024, the title of
"National Hero of Azerbaijan" has been posthumously awarded to crew
members Igor Kshnyakin, Alexander Kalyaninov, and Hokuma Aliyeva,
who demonstrated high professionalism, bravery, and dedication in
fulfilling their duties and saving passengers’ lives during the
incident involving the Embraer 190 passenger aircraft of Azerbaijan
Airlines Closed Joint Stock Company en route from Baku to
Grozny.


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