The Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan has published the preliminary results of the investigation into the incident involving an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) aircraft that occurred near Aktau. According to the report, the aircraft may have sustained damage from elements of an explosive device, although their origin has not yet been established.
Through-and-through damage was recorded on some sections of the aircraft's hydraulic system, which is believed to have been caused by metallic fragments made from iron-based alloys. The document also states that experts found no traces of explosives on the examined metallic objects.
The investigation is ongoing, and the report presented is preliminary. So far, specialists have analyzed information about the flight, weather conditions, crew, and the technical condition of the aircraft. Both "black boxes" have been deciphered: one contains flight data, while the other has recordings of the crew's conversations. Investigators conducted a thorough examination of the crash site and collected debris for further analysis.
Additionally, experts attempted to extract data from the onboard computer, but this was unsuccessful due to the effects of high temperatures. It is recommended to contact the American manufacturer Delkin Devices Inc. for information from the memory card. The Kazakh side is negotiating with a U.S. representative regarding the possibility of conducting research at the American factory.
The crash of the Embraer 190 aircraft of Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) occurred on December 25. The plane was on a flight from Baku to Grozny but was unable to land in the Chechen capital and diverted to Aktau, sending a distress signal. The aircraft crashed three kilometers from the airport, resulting in the deaths of 38 out of the 67 people on board. Among the victims were citizens of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia.
Subsequently, various theories regarding the causes of the crash were proposed, ranging from bird strikes to external interference. At the end of December, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev noted that Moscow is trying to conceal the true causes of the disaster, stating that the aircraft was damaged by electronic warfare means and ground fire at the moment when Grozny was repelling an attack by Ukrainian drones, which led to significant damage to the tail section.
A commission has been formed under the Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan to investigate the crash, which includes specialists from Azerbaijan, Russia, and the Embraer company.
In February 2025, the Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan plans to present a preliminary report on the progress of the investigation. This document will not contain final conclusions about the causes of the crash but will state facts regarding the presence of holes in the aircraft's fuselage and the discovery of foreign metallic objects that have been sent for examination.
