Azerbaijan Airlines crash/ external impact/ Russian air defenses/ aviation safety/ Ukrainian drones/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Azerbaijan’s transport minister, Rashad Nabiyev, suggested that the recent Azerbaijan Airlines crash, which killed 38 people, was caused by an external impact, possibly a weapon strike. Aviation experts and survivor accounts support this theory, raising questions about Russian air defenses. The plane was en route to Grozny but diverted to Kazakhstan amid Ukrainian drone attacks in the area.
Azerbaijan Airliner Crash: Key Developments
- Crash Details:
- The Embraer 190 aircraft crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, on Wednesday while attempting an emergency landing.
- The crash resulted in 38 fatalities and 29 injuries among the passengers and crew.
- Minister’s Statement:
- Azerbaijani Transport Minister Rashad Nabiyev cited expert analysis and witness accounts suggesting external impact, possibly from a weapon.
- Survivors described loud noises resembling external hits before the crash.
- Survivor Testimonies:
- Flight attendant Aydan Rahimli reported that oxygen masks were automatically released after a loud noise.
- Colleague Zulfugar Asadov said the noises sounded like something striking the aircraft from the outside.
- Russian Air Defense Allegations:
- Aviation experts noted holes in the plane’s tail section indicative of shrapnel damage from a surface-to-air missile.
- Russian officials confirmed Ukrainian drones were targeting Grozny during the flight but have not addressed the air defense claims.
- Suspension of Flights:
- Azerbaijan Airlines halted flights to several Russian cities, including Grozny and Makhachkala, citing “physical and technical interference.”
- Other carriers, including Kazakhstan’s Qazaq Air and Israel’s El Al, have also suspended flights to Russian destinations due to safety concerns.
Azerbaijani Minister: Crashed Plane Was Hit from Outside by a Weapon
Deep Look
Minister Points to External Impact in Airliner Crash
Azerbaijan’s Minister of Digital Development and Transportation, Rashad Nabiyev, stated on Friday that preliminary findings indicate the Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash was caused by an external impact, potentially a weapon strike. Survivor testimonies and expert analysis support this claim, further implicating the role of external forces in the tragedy.
The Embraer 190, carrying 67 people, was en route from Baku to Grozny when it diverted to Kazakhstan due to safety concerns and subsequently crashed during an attempted emergency landing near Aktau.
Witness Accounts Highlight External Strike
Passengers and crew members have described events consistent with an external attack. Flight attendant Aydan Rahimli recalled oxygen masks releasing automatically after a loud noise mid-flight. Another crew member, Zulfugar Asadov, said the sounds resembled impacts from outside the aircraft, disputing Kazakh claims of an internal explosion.
Russian Air Defenses Under Scrutiny
While Russia confirmed Ukrainian drones were targeting Grozny at the time, Moscow has not commented on claims that its air defenses may have inadvertently downed the plane. Aviation experts, including those from Osprey Flight Solutions, noted damage to the plane’s tail section consistent with shrapnel from a missile strike.
Airline and Regional Responses
Israeli airline El Al also paused flights to Moscow, referencing “developments in Russia’s airspace.”
Investigation and Next Steps
The Azerbaijani Prosecutor General’s Office confirmed its investigators are working in Grozny to determine the crash’s cause. Meanwhile, the Kremlin emphasized the need to await official findings before drawing conclusions.
As tensions mount, the crash raises broader concerns about civilian air safety amid escalating regional conflicts.
