A preliminary investigation into the crash of an Azerbaijani airliner near Kazakhstan suggests that a bird strike may have been a contributing factor in the emergency that led to the tragic accident. At least 35 people are feared dead in the crash, which occurred when the plane, traveling from Azerbaijan’s Baku to Russia’s Grozny, collided with birds shortly after takeoff.
According to Russia’s aviation watchdog, the aircraft’s commander made the decision to divert to an alternate airfield, choosing Aktau, following the bird collision and an ensuing emergency on board. The aircraft was carrying 62 passengers and five crew members at the time of the crash, with Kazakh authorities confirming that 32 survivors, including two children, were rescued.
The plane, operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, was forced to make an emergency landing about 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) from Aktau. While no immediate explanation was provided for why the plane crossed the Caspian Sea, the crash occurred just after a series of drone strikes had targeted southern Russia, causing airspace closures at a nearby Russian airport. This has led to speculation about whether the ongoing drone activity and airspace restrictions played a role in the aircraft’s emergency diversion.
A government commission has been established in Kazakhstan to thoroughly investigate the incident, and officials are focused on ensuring support for the families of the victims. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev have both expressed their condolences following the tragedy. Additionally, Ramzan Kadyrov, the head of Chechnya, sent his sympathies, noting that some of the injured were in critical condition.
The investigation into the causes of the crash is ongoing, with authorities looking into all possible factors, including the bird strike and potential complications from nearby drone activities.
