A recent report from Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport sheds light on the tragic crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) Embraer 190 aircraft in Aktau, Kazakhstan.

The 53-page preliminary document, which was shared on the Telegram channel of Tengrinews.kz, offers an early analysis of the flight’s data but stops short of assigning blame to any party involved.

Early Investigation Findings: Damage to the Aircraft

The report reveals significant structural damage to the plane, which appears to have been caused by external forces.

Investigators found numerous holes and cracks of various shapes and sizes in several parts of the aircraft, including the tail section, fin, stabilizer, elevators, rudder, left engine, and wing.

Some of the damages were even described as having a distinct rectangular pattern, which indicates potential impact from external objects.

The report suggests that these damages may have been caused by objects penetrating the aircraft’s fuselage, though further research is needed to determine the exact nature and origin of these impacts.

Critical Moments During the Flight

The preliminary investigation provides a detailed timeline of key events leading up to the crash.

Two separate impacts occurred at 05:13, just seconds apart.

Following the first impact, the autopilot disengaged, which led to a loss of fluid pressure in one of the aircraft’s hydraulic systems.

Initially, the pilots believed they had struck birds, but a flight attendant reported that two seats in the cabin had exploded.

As the aircraft began to lose control, the crew communicated with air traffic controllers in Grozny, the intended destination in Russia, informing them of the situation.

The pilots then reached out to air traffic controllers in Rostov before ultimately deciding to divert to Aktau due to adverse weather conditions.

Distress Signals and the Final Moments

At 06:02, the crew issued an international distress signal while communicating with air traffic controllers in Aktau.

Tragically, at 06:27, the plane crashed into the ground, ending the flight and claiming 38 lives out of the 67 people on board.

The Embraer 190, which was en route from Baku to Grozny, had been in service with Azerbaijan Airlines.

The flight’s cockpit recordings, which surfaced in mid-January, revealed the crew’s independent decisions to divert from the original flight plan.

The pilots chose not to land in Grozny or continue to Makhachkala, opting instead to attempt a return to Baku before ultimately heading toward Kazakhstan.

Continuing Investigation and Analysis

The investigation into the cause of the crash is still ongoing.

As the search for answers continues, experts will likely delve deeper into the damage found on the aircraft, the flight’s trajectory, and the decision-making process of the crew.

The preliminary report has provided valuable insights, but much more work remains to fully understand what led to this tragic accident.

The Embraer 190, part of the E-Jet family of aircraft, is a popular regional jet known for its capacity and performance.

The family, produced by Brazilian manufacturer Embraer, has been in service for many years, though this crash marks a somber moment in the aircraft’s history.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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