Elena Teslova
04 February 2025•Update: 05 February 2025
MOSCOW
Kazakhstan released a preliminary report on Tuesday on the investigation into the causes of the Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) plane crash near Aktau Airport in December, saying the initial examination revealed many holes and dents in the plane, as well as a collision with "foreign metal objects."
Kazakhstan's Transport Ministry released preliminary conclusions based on aviation experts and data analysis, including flight recorders or black boxes recovered after the crash.
"The initial examination of the fragments discovered many through holes and dents of different sizes and shapes in the tail section of the fuselage, the vertical stabilizer, and the horizontal stabilizers, as well as in the elevators and rudders.
Similar damage was found on the left engine and left wing of the aircraft, as well as on various components and systems of the aircraft. Some holes have a distinct rectangular shape," the report read.
The preliminary report contains no final conclusions about the causes of the plane crash, it added.
"Also, a number of foreign metal objects were found. Appropriate investigations and examinations will be conducted to determine the nature and origin of through-the-wall damage caused by foreign objects," the report said.
An AZAL flight traveling from Baku to Grozny, Russia, crashed 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) from Aktau, on the Caspian Sea coast, on December 25, 2024, killing 38 of the 67 passengers and crew members on board.
While investigations are still ongoing, preliminary reports suggest that the Embraer 190 crashed due to a bird collision, said the ministry in its report. However, footage from the crash site showed large holes in the aircraft's tail section, fueling speculation about an attack.
The day after the incident, senior Azerbaijani officials confirmed reports to Anadolu suggesting the crash was caused by a Russian missile system.
Russian President Vladimir Putin later spoke on the phone with his Azerbaijani counterpart, Ilham Aliyev, offering condolences and apologizing for the incident in Russian airspace.
The following day, Aliyev said the plane’s tail was severely damaged by "weapons fire from the ground," calling on Moscow to accept responsibility, punish those responsible, and provide compensation.
