- Sky falling?: December's deadly air disasters raise serious safety concerns, casting shadow over global air travel
ISTANBUL
A series of aviation incidents have marred the end of the year, raising concerns about global air safety.
In the final days of December 2024, the aviation industry faced seven alarming incidents across countries, including Kazakhstan, South Korea, Canada, Norway, Germany, and the UAE.
From minor mishaps to tragic crashes, Anadolu’s timeline explores the circumstances and potential causes behind these troubling events.
Dec. 25: Azerbaijan Airlines flight 8243 crashes in Kazakhstan
An Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 en route from Baku to Grozny, Chechnya’s capital, was shot down near Aktau in Kazakhstan, killing 38 of the 67 passengers and crew members onboard.
Later on Thursday, Azerbaijani officials confirmed the plane was hit by a Russian surface-to-air missile, with President Aliyev saying it was damaged by ground fire and electronic warfare over Russian territory and demanding an apology from Moscow as well as compensation for the victims.
"The facts are that the Azerbaijani civil plane was damaged from the outside on Russian territory, near Grozny, and nearly lost control. We also know that our plane has been rendered uncontrollable due to radio-electronic warfare," he stated.
Due to the numerous holes in the plane's fuselage, Aliyev "completely ruled out" the possibility of the plane colliding with a flock of birds.
The crash occurred amid Russian air defense activity against Ukrainian drones, as Putin has acknowledged, and GPS jamming was detected in the region.
Regarding what Azerbaijan expects from Russia, Aliyev said Baku has informed Moscow that they first require a formal apology.
"Secondly, it must acknowledge its guilt. Thirdly, those responsible must be punished and brought to criminal responsibility, and compensation must be paid to the Azerbaijani state, as well as the injured passengers and crew members. These are our conditions," he added.
Putin, earlier on Saturday, extended condolences to Azerbaijan’s president and apologized, mentioning how Russian air defense systems were actively responding to a Ukrainian drone attack when the plane tried to land in Grozny before the crash.
But Russia denied deliberate intent, suggesting an onboard explosion—a theory Aliyev dismissed as a cover-up.
Authorities of all interested countries have urged people to wait for official findings before drawing conclusions.
Investigations are ongoing, with the black boxes under examination.
Dec. 29: Jeju Air flight 2216 crash landing in South Korea
A Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 crashed at Muan International Airport after its front landing gear failed, killing 179 of the 181 passengers and crew members onboard in South Korea’s deadliest aviation disaster since 1997.
Investigators are focusing on a possible bird strike near the airport, located in a migratory bird habitat, as a contributing factor.
A seven-day national mourning has been declared, with New Year events canceled.
A US FAA team and Boeing officials are assisting in the probe, which may require sending the damaged flight data recorder to the US for analysis.
Previous warnings about bird strike risks at the airport had called for preventive measures, now under renewed scrutiny.
Dec. 29: Air Canada Express flight 2259 skids down runway with flames in Canada
On the same day, Air Canada Express flight 2259, a De Havilland Dash 8-400, made an emergency landing at Halifax Stanfield International Airport after a landing gear malfunction.
The plane skidded down the runway with flames and sparks visible from one wing.
Remarkably, all 77 passengers and crew escaped unharmed.
Passenger accounts described the plane tilting and skidding during the landing. Emergency crews responded swiftly, and flights at the airport were briefly suspended.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the mechanical failure.
Dec. 29: KLM Flight 1204 emergency landing in Norway
KLM Flight 1204, a Boeing 737-800 en route from Oslo to Amsterdam, experienced a hydraulic system failure shortly after takeoff.
The pilots diverted to Sandefjord Torp Airport in Norway, where the plane skidded off the runway into a grassy area during an emergency landing.
All 176 passengers and six crew members were unharmed. Investigations are focusing on the reported hydraulic failure as the cause of the incident.
Dec. 29: UAE plane crash off Ras al-Khaimah coast
A light aircraft crashed off the coast of Ras al-Khaimah in the UAE, killing the pilot and co-pilot.
The General Civil Aviation Authority has launched an investigation into the cause of the crash.
The next day, the Emirates flight bound for Incheon, South Korea, was diverted due to a historic snowstorm that disrupted regional air traffic, landing safely at an alternative airport.
Dec. 29: Plane crashes at Stuttgart Airport in Germany
A Cessna C-172 crashed near the Stuttgart Airport runway on Sunday afternoon, injuring two people and disrupting air traffic.
The pilot sustained minor injuries, while a passenger was hospitalized with serious injuries.
Poor visibility due to darkness and fog may have contributed to the crash. Flights were suspended for 90 minutes during the emergency response efforts.
Authorities are conducting an investigation, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation.
Dec. 30: Jeju Air flight 7C101 emergency landing
Jeju Air Flight 7C101, a Boeing 737-800 carrying 161 passengers, experienced a landing gear issue shortly after taking off from Gimpo International Airport in Seoul.
The pilot decided to return to Gimpo, where the plane landed safely. There were no injuries reported, and all 161 passengers were unharmed.
The cause of the landing gear issue in flight 7C101 is currently under investigation.
These incidents have prompted global aviation authorities to initiate comprehensive investigations to identify underlying causes, whether mechanical failures, human errors, or external factors like weather and geopolitical tensions.
The findings are expected to lead to enhanced safety measures aimed at preventing future occurrences.
