AZAL Airlines crash: experts demand answers on GPS failure, airspace negligence

A recent crash involving an AZAL Airlines flight has raised numerous questions, with experts pointing to several puzzling aspects of the incident that remain unexplained. 

Suheyla Demir, the head of the worldl news desk at Haber Global, discussed these concerns in a broadcast on the TV channel, highlighting a range of suspicious elements surrounding the crash, Caliber.Az reports.

One of the primary issues, according to Demir, is the failure of Chechnya to close its airspace despite ongoing Ukrainian UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) attacks in the region, Caliber.Az reports.

“This is a clear manifestation of negligence,” she stated. Chechnya has experienced multiple drone strikes this month, each prompting official responses. However, in this instance, the situation was seemingly ignored, as if no threat had occurred. Demir also noted that neither Chechnya nor Russia allowed the aircraft to land on Russian soil, suggesting preparations may have been made for the plane to crash into the Caspian Sea.

Another key issue involves the aircraft's GPS system, which Demir believes was either malfunctioning or deliberately disabled. "The disabling of the GPS system on board the aircraft is both suspicious and mysterious," she remarked. Following the crash, Russian authorities claimed the aircraft collided with a flock of birds. However, Demir questioned this explanation, citing the lack of visible blood traces on the aircraft. She speculated that the Russian authorities might be attempting to divert attention from a deeper, more concerning issue.

Demir concluded by calling on Russia to issue an apology and hold accountable those responsible for the incident, adding, "It is clear that traveling to Russia has become increasingly dangerous at this point." As the investigation into the crash continues, these developments suggest that key aspects of the incident remain unresolved.

In contrast to the suspicions surrounding the crash, experts are urging patience and a thorough investigation to fully understand the causes of the AZAL Airlines incident, which occurred on December 25. Seda Korkmaz, a lecturer at Istanbul Esenyurt University and head of the transport services department, stressed the importance of waiting for a complete and detailed analysis of the crash.

Korkmaz explained that necessary measures were taken within the cabin of the plane before the crash, highlighting the captain's declaration of an emergency. "When an emergency is declared, all passengers must remain in their seats and fasten their seatbelts. No one must stand up," Korkmaz explained. "From the published video footage, it is evident that the flight attendants were instructing passengers to stay seated and fasten their seatbelts." She emphasized that securing seatbelts during an emergency is a small but crucial step that can save lives, urging passengers to always follow the crew’s instructions.

Additionally, Korkmaz pointed out the importance of ensuring passengers remain seated, even in the absence of an accident. "Even without an accident, passengers standing can cause unexpected turbulence, leading to serious injuries. In the event of turbulence, passengers can strike their heads on the ceiling or the overhead luggage racks," she warned, stressing the potential life-threatening risks this poses.

By Vafa Guliyeva