Wednesday, December 25, 2024 On December 25, 2024, an Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 aircraft, operating as Flight J2-8243, crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, resulting in significant loss of life. The flight, which originated from Baku, Azerbaijan, was en route to Grozny, Russia, carrying 62 passengers and five crew members. Due to dense fog in Grozny, the aircraft was diverted to Aktau.
At approximately 9:35 local time, the crew issued a distress signal, reporting a failure in the control system. Subsequently, at 9:49, they requested an emergency landing in Aktau. Tragically, at 10:28, the aircraft impacted the ground about 3 kilometers from Aktau International Airport.
Eyewitness footage captured the plane’s steep descent, culminating in a fiery explosion upon impact. Emergency responders swiftly arrived at the crash site, extinguishing the ensuing blaze. Among the 67 individuals on board, 28 survived, including two children aged 11 and 16.
These survivors were transported to nearby hospitals, with seven reported in critical condition. Rescue teams have been recovering the bodies of the deceased, and efforts continue to account for all passengers and crew. Preliminary reports suggest that a bird strike may have precipitated the disaster.
Survivors recounted that a bird entered the engine, leading to an oxygen tank explosion and subsequent steering failure. Flight tracking data from FlightRadar24.com indicated that the aircraft performed a figure-eight maneuver near Aktau a.
