Aviation heroes: Unyielding bravery of Azerbaijan Airlines crew in crash survival Article by La Voix du Nord

The French portal La Voix du Nord has published an article commending the bravery of the Azerbaijani pilots and stewardess who displayed extraordinary courage during the crash of the Azerbaijan Airlines plane on December 25 near Aktau.

The article highlights that a team of true heroes fought against all odds to save the lives of nearly 30 passengers aboard Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8432, which crashed in Kazakhstan after being struck by a missile over Russian territory, Caliber.Az reports.

The passengers, as well as the world, owe their survival to the incredible bravery of the crew, who, despite catastrophic damage to their aircraft, managed to guide the plane through impossible circumstances.

At 5:25 AM (French time), the Embraer 190, with 67 people onboard, was on course toward Grozny when it suddenly disappeared from radar. Two hours later, the plane crashed in Kazakhstan, killing 38 people, including the pilots. Despite the devastation and the severe damage to the plane’s rear end — riddled with shrapnel from a missile — those on board owe their lives to the remarkable determination of the flight crew, especially the pilots and flight attendant Hokuma Aliyeva.

The circumstances were nothing short of dire. According to reports, an external missile strike, believed to have been fired by Russian forces, struck the aircraft near the tail, sending thousands of deadly fragments into the fuselage. With vital navigation systems knocked out, the pilots were left to rely on only engine thrust to control the plane. Despite these overwhelming challenges, Captain Igor Kshnyakin and First Officer Aleksandr Kalyaninov continued to fight for control of the aircraft, guiding it across the Caspian Sea and attempting an emergency landing in Kazakhstan.

Aviation experts, who analyzed the flight data, confirmed that the pilots endured what is known as “phugoid oscillations” in the final 74 minutes of flight, a violent back-and-forth motion that alternated between rapid ascents and descents. The plane’s speed varied between -8,300 feet per minute and +8,300 feet per minute, a chaotic and dangerous situation that could have resulted in disaster at any moment. But the pilots persisted, navigating the turbulence and trying to steer the plane to safety.

While the pilots fought to control the plane, flight attendant Hokuma Aliyeva, along with the rest of the crew, ensured the safety and comfort of the passengers. Her bravery, combined with the efforts of the entire team, ensured that nearly half of the passengers survived the crash.

Social media tributes quickly poured in, praising the crew for their determination and heroism. “These pilots did everything in their power to land the plane and give their passengers the best chance of survival. They fought until the end with an aircraft that was barely controllable,” said one commentator.

“The Azerbaijani pilots lost all hydraulic systems, but they didn’t give up. They saved 29 lives and lost their own. Absolute heroes,” said Visegrád 24, an information outlet.

James Shepard, a pilot, wrote, “What an INCREDIBLE effort. The crew deserved a better outcome. Crossing the Caspian Sea under these conditions was nothing short of a miracle.”

As the investigation into the crash continues, it is clear that the story of this flight is one of extraordinary courage and heroism. The crew of Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8432 did not simply perform their duties — they transcended them. Despite unimaginable odds, they fought not only to save themselves but to give their passengers a fighting chance. Their legacy will be one of unwavering determination in the face of disaster.

The article concludes by saying that in the face of such tragedy, it is the courage of these men and women that will inspire for years to come.

By Tamilla Hasanova