Kazakhstan thanks ICAO for crucial support in Azerbaijan Airlines crash investigation

Kazakhstan's Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev has expressed gratitude to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for its timely support in the investigation of the Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) plane crash.

During a meeting with ICAO's Director of the European and North Atlantic Bureau, Nicolas Rallo, Bozumbayev thanked the organisation for sending independent expert Tormodur Tormodsson to the crash site, Caliber.Az reports via Kazakh media.

Speaking to the press, Bozumbayev stated, "On behalf of the government, I personally extend our sincere appreciation for the continuous support, including backing our initiatives. To ensure a complete investigation, we will continue our collaboration with ICAO."

Bozumbayev highlighted that from the outset, Kazakhstan has been committed to an objective and thorough investigation into the crash.

Rallo, for his part, commended Kazakhstan for its swift efforts, praising the preliminary report on the incident published by Kazakhstan in less than one and a half months. "I commend Kazakhstan and the entire Investigation Commission for their efforts, which enabled them to complete the preliminary report in a timely manner," Rallo said. "I encourage you to continue ensuring full adherence to the Convention on International Civil Aviation throughout the investigation process."

The final report on the crash of the AZAL aircraft in Aktau is expected to be published by the end of this year, in accordance with the Chicago Convention.

Notably, Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243, an Embraer 190AR, crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, on December 25, 2024, during an emergency landing attempt. The flight, travelling from Baku to Grozny, was carrying 67 people, including 62 passengers and five crew members. The crash resulted in 38 deaths, with 29 survivors, including three crew members.

Preliminary investigations suggest the aircraft was hit by a Russian "Pantsir-S1" surface-to-air missile, fired in an effort to thwart a Ukrainian drone attack over Chechnya. Russian authorities initially downplayed the incident, but later investigations confirmed the missile strike. It was also revealed that the aircraft's navigation systems had been compromised by electronic warfare, hindering the crew's control of the plane.

On January 24, further findings from Caliber.Az identified the individual who fired the missile and the officer who gave the order. The initial report confirming the missile strike from the Russian Pantsir-S1 was also verified.

By Aghakazim Guliyev