Bird hit aircraft : 28 survived in Azerbaijan Airlines’ plane crash. More than 30 likely dead
An Azerbaijani airliner crashed near the Kazakhstani city of Aktau, with Kazakhstan’s Emergency Ministry reporting at least 28 survivors, suggesting over 30 fatalities. Four bodies have been recovered so far.
On Wednesday, the ministry stated on Telegram that 67 people, including five crew members, were aboard the plane. Of these, 28 have survived and are hospitalized. Russian news agency Interfax quoted the ministry, indicating the possibility of additional survivors.
The Embraer 190 aircraft reportedly made an emergency landing three kilometers from Aktau, according to Azerbaijan Airlines.
Initially, Kazakhstan’s Emergency Ministry announced 25 survivors, later revising the figure to 27 and then 28 as search and rescue efforts progressed, reducing the presumed death toll.
The flight, originally scheduled to travel from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny in Russia’s North Caucasus, diverted due to an emergency.
Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency revealed that preliminary findings suggest a bird strike caused an onboard emergency, prompting the pilot to divert to Aktau.
Mobile footage online shows the plane in a steep descent before crashing into the ground in a fireball. Other clips depict parts of the fuselage separated from the wings, with aircraft sections overturned on the ground. The visuals matched the aircraft’s colors and registration number.
FlightRadar24.com data revealed the aircraft executing a figure-eight maneuver near Aktau Airport, with its altitude fluctuating significantly in the final moments before impact.
FlightRadar24 noted in a post that the aircraft experienced “strong GPS jamming,” causing it to transmit incorrect ADS-B data. This technology is crucial for flight-tracking websites. In the past, Russia has faced accusations of GPS jamming in the region.
Embraer has not yet responded to requests for comment. Azerbaijan Airlines announced it would provide updates to the public and changed its social media banners to solid black as a mark of respect.
