Kazakhstan: Investigation continuing into cause of Dec. 25 Azerbaijan Airlines crash near Aktau Airport /update 3

Civil aviation authorities from Russia, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan will almost certainly continue their investigation into the fatal Dec. 25 crash of Azerbaijan Airlines (J2) flight 8243 through at least the end of December. The Embraer190 aircraft was en route from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny in Russia when it was diverted to Aktau, Kazakhstan, upon approach to its scheduled destination. The plane crashed near Aktau around 11:10, resulting in the deaths of all five crew members and 33 other individuals on board. The remaining 29 passengers sustained injuries in the accident.

The circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear. Preliminary reports suggest that the flight was rerouted to Aktau due to fog and low visibility conditions in Grozny; there were also reports that the aircraft may have been affected by a bird strike. However, emerging technical data indicate that flight 8243 experienced interference with its GPS system while still near Grozny, potentially causing the craft to report erroneous navigational data. Moreover, video evidence shows the plane was apparently experiencing significant difficulty maintaining altitude in the minutes before the crash. Local authorities in Kazakhstan's Tupkaraqan District have declared a state of emergency around the crash site.

Azerbaijan Airlines has canceled all flights between Baku and Grozny, as well as between the Azerbaijani capital and Makhachkala in Russia pending the outcome of the investigation. Further disruptions to the carrier's services cannot be ruled out, depending on the findings of investigators. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has declared Dec. 25 a national day of mourning following the accident; some business and transport disruptions are possible during the observance.