Kazakhstan’s investigation into AZAL plane crash set to conclude within three years

The investigation into the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) plane in Kazakhstan, which occurred in late December 2024, is expected to culminate in a final report within a three-year timeframe.

The Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan confirmed this timeline in a statement, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media.

The investigation pertains to the accident involving an Embraer E-190AR aircraft (registration number 4K-AZ65), operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, which occurred on December 25, 2024.

As outlined in the statement, the investigation is being conducted under the Order of the Minister of Investment and Development of Kazakhstan, No. 505, dated July 27, 2017. The Ministry emphasized that, as per paragraph 32 of the Order, the duration of such investigations, particularly those involving human casualties, should not typically exceed 36 months unless additional research or analysis is necessary.

This process will ensure a thorough examination of the causes behind the tragic incident, and the final report will provide crucial insights into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

An investigation is currently underway, with a special commission comprising experts from the Department for the Investigation of Incidents and Accidents in Transport, part of the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The tragic crash occurred on December 25 when an Embraer 190 aircraft, operating flight J2-8243 from Baku to Grozny, crashed while attempting an emergency landing near Aktau. The flight had 67 people on board, including 62 passengers and five crew members. Passengers included 37 Azerbaijani, 16 Russian, 6 Kazakh, and 3 Kyrgyzstani nationals.

The crash claimed the lives of 38 people, while 29 survived.

By Vafa Guliyeva