Kazakhstan has released an interim report on the investigation into the crash of an Embraer 190 operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, which occurred near Aktau on December 25, 2024.
The aircraft was flying the Baku - Grozny route. The tragedy claimed 38 lives, and another 29 people were injured, DKNews.kz reports.
Who is conducting the investigation
A special commission was set up by Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport immediately after the accident. The investigation involves representatives from:
- Azerbaijan
- Russia
- Brazil
- and an ICAO observer
A preliminary summary had been published earlier, and the commission has now shared a more detailed interim report.
What has been examined
Investigators reviewed a large body of materials, including:
- flight preparation documents
- weather reports
- the aircraft’s maintenance history
- actions of the crew and air traffic controllers
Data from the flight recorders were decoded, restoring flight parameters and cockpit communications. The crash site was thoroughly inspected, and key components were sent for further examination.
What the expert analysis shows
Comprehensive technical studies have been carried out.
Key findings so far:
- no traces of explosives were detected
- no evidence of explosion in the oxygen cylinders
- damage to the fuselage may have been caused by external impact elements, though their origin remains unclear
- fractures were found on the hydraulic system pipe No. 2, likely caused by hard-object impact
Part of the central onboard computer was damaged by fire. Additional work is planned in the United States to try to recover the remaining data.
Focus on flights over conflict zones
Two working groups have been formed.
One is analyzing how risks of flying over or near conflict zones were assessed:
- what procedures and instructions were applied
- coordination between civil and military structures
- compliance with international safety standards
Another group in Aktau reconstructed sections of the aircraft’s hydraulic system to better understand the chain of events.
What happens next
The commission is awaiting:
- results of data recovery from the aircraft’s central maintenance computer
- findings from the conflict-zone risk analysis
Investigators emphasize that final conclusions will only be announced after all examinations are complete and will be based strictly on facts. The final report will be published on the website of the Ministry of Transport.
