On December 25, 2024, an Azerbaijan Airlines Azerbaijan Airlines Flight J28243 crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, resulting in 38 fatalities and 29 survivors. Flight J28243 was scheduled to operate from Baku to Grozny.
Flight J28243 was operated by an Embraer E190-100IGW registered 4K-AZ65. Airlines took delivery of plane in 2013.
According to the Flightradar24, the aircraft departed Baku at 03:55 UTC. Valid ADS-B position data was received from the aircraft until 04:25 UTC when the flight encountered significant GPS interference.
The aircraft stopped sending positional data altogether for the period between 04:25 and 04:37. Between 04:37 and 04:40 the aircraft sent likely erroneous position data.
The Flightradar24 receivers did not receive data from the aircraft between 04:40 and 05:03 and a second gap from 05:04 to 05:13.
From 05:13 until 06:07 all data received from the aircraft lacked positional information. From 06:07 UTC through the end of the flight at 06:28 position data was received from the aircraft.
Weather reports for Grozny at the time indicated visibility at the airfield was 3600 meters with low overcast clouds, but it is not yet known if this was a factor.
ADS-B data and video of the crash indicate possible control issues with the aircraft.
While data was not received for the entire flight, the ADS-B data available from 05:13 UTC demonstrates variable altitude (feet AMSL) reports of ±8,000 feet dozens of times and oscillating ground speed (Knots) and vertical rate (feet per minute) values.
The aircraft was unable to maintain consistent altitude and speed for at least 75 minutes.
Photos and video from the crash scene indicate puncture damage to at least the left side of the vertical stabilizer.
Reports are coming in of an accident at Aktau Airport, Kazakhstan involving an Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer ERJ-190. pic.twitter.com/X42mS3sSsO
— Aviation Safety Network (ASN) (@AviationSafety) December 25, 2024
