Envoy: Kazakhstan stands for transparent investigation into Aktau plane crash “We have nothing to hide”

Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Russia Dauren Abayev has stated that Kazakhstan advocates for an objective and transparent investigation into the case of the Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) plane that crashed in Aktau on December 25, 2024.

"We have nothing to hide. We stand for an objective, clear and transparent investigation," he told the Russian news outlet RIA Novosti, per Caliber.Az.

Abayev noted that the investigation is being conducted in line with all standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and Azerbaijan, Russia and Brazil have appointed authorized representatives to participate in the investigation.

"The published report of the Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan is preliminary. As the ministry stated, the final report may be published by December 2025. This deadline meets the requirements, standards and recommended practices of ICAO. By the way, ICAO highly appreciated the level and quality of the preliminary report, noted the clear presentation of facts, detail and completeness of information," the ambassador noted.

Let's recall that the tragic crash of AZAL flight J2-8243 on December 25, 2024, has sparked widespread attention and ongoing investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident. The Embraer 190-100 IGW aircraft, registered as 4K-AZ65, was en route from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Russia, when it crashed near Aktau Airport in Kazakhstan. The disaster resulted in the deaths of 38 individuals, including crew members and passengers, while 29 passengers survived due to the efforts of the flight crew.

The preliminary investigation, led by the Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan, has ruled out technical malfunctions of the aircraft or its engines. However, the report highlights critical anomalies that occurred during the flight, including the loss of GPS signals over Russian airspace and unexplained external damage to the aircraft’s fuselage, stabilizers, and wings. The discovery of embedded foreign objects in the wreckage has led to further forensic analysis to determine their nature and origin.

These findings have raised serious concerns about possible external interference in the crash. The investigation remains ongoing, with Kazakhstan and other involved parties working towards a final report under the regulations of the ICAO Chicago Convention. 

By Khagan Isayev