The Ministry of Transport has refrained from commenting on the transcript of the conversations between the pilots of the Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) plane, which previously surfaced online, reports Tengrinews.kz correspondent.
It is reported that the commission investigating the aviation incident at the Ministry of Transport is continuing its work to determine the causes of the event.
"Until the preliminary report is published, the commission will not comment on information from the internet that lacks any official source," the statement reads.
Earlier, the Telegram channel Baza published the transcript of the conversations between the pilots of the crashed Embraer-190 aircraft near Aktau and the air traffic controllers. The transcript indicates that the crew decided not to land in Grozny, not to fly to Makhachkala, and then to return to Baku, ultimately flying to Aktau.
The media do not disclose the source that provided the transcript of the conversations. Officially, no one has confirmed the authenticity of this information.
Recall that the Kazakh Ministry of Transport reported that the black boxes of the aircraft have been returned to Kazakhstan from Brazil and handed over to the commission for an assessment of the aviation disaster in Aktau. The decrypted data from the flight recorders, which have arrived in our country, are also being examined by specialists.
Earlier, the ministry revealed when the preliminary results of the investigation would be made known.
Plane Crash in Aktau: What Happened?
On December 25, 2024, a tragic aviation disaster occurred three kilometers from Aktau Airport involving an Embraer aircraft of the Azerbaijani airline Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL). The plane, operating the Baku – Grozny flight, crashed during an emergency landing attempt. There were 62 passengers and 5 crew members on board.
Investigation and Theories
The investigation of the disaster is being led by Kazakhstan in accordance with the ICAO Convention. Specialists from Azerbaijan, Russia, international experts, and representatives from Embraer are involved in the process. The black boxes have been retrieved and are being deciphered with the participation of international experts.
Azerbaijani media, as well as Euronews and Reuters, have published materials discussing the theory that Russian air defense systems may have been one of the causes of the disaster.
On December 28, Vladimir Putin expressed his apologies regarding the tragic incident occurring in Russian airspace and once again conveyed his deep and sincere condolences to the families of the victims, wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.
On December 29, Ilham Aliyev stated that the Azerbaijani civil aircraft sustained external damage on Russian territory near the city of Grozny and virtually lost control. According to him, the aircraft was rendered uncontrollable by means of electronic warfare.
Additionally, the President of Azerbaijan announced demands to Russia.
How Many Passengers Were On Board?
According to the Kazakh Ministry of Emergency Situations, there were 62 passengers and 5 crew members on board:
- 42 citizens of Azerbaijan;
- 16 citizens of Russia;
- 6 citizens of Kazakhstan;
- 3 citizens of Kyrgyzstan.
Among the survivors are citizens of Azerbaijan, Russia, and Kyrgyzstan. According to our information, as of now, 29 people have survived the crash, but some are in serious condition. There were no survivors among the Kazakh citizens.
List of deceased Kazakh citizens:
- Tulesinov Sandibek Ekiabaevich, born November 16, 1988, a native of Mangistau region, residing in Zhanaozen.
- Jumagulov Bauyrzhan Jumabaevich, born September 30, 1985, a native of Mangistau region, residing in Zhanaozen.
- Makhsudova Galina Rastambekovna, born January 12, 1978, a native of Mangistau region, residing in Aktau.
- Shaimerdenova Gauhar Zhumagatovna, born July 17, 1975, a native of Almaty, residing in Astana.
- Jumagat Eldar (son of Gauhar Shaimerdenova), born August 23, 2013, residing in Astana.
- Dzhutaeva Salima Amanzholovna, born February 21, 1995, a native of Kostanay region.