‍DALLAS — A preliminary report by Azerbaijan's Ministry of Digital Development and Transport has revealed more details on the tragic crash of an Embraer 190-100 IGW aircraft, registered 4K-AZ65, operated by Azerbaijan Airlines (J2) near Aktau Airport (SCO) on December 25, 2024. 

The investigation is conducted according to Annex 13 of the 1944 Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation, which focuses on improving aviation safety rather than assigning blame.

Despite the worst outcome, there was a speedy response from both the crew and emergency responders; 29 survived, while on the other end, 39 people lost their lives, comprising two crew members and 35 passengers. 

The accident occurred on a regular flight from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Russian Federation. Due to adverse weather in Grozny, the aircraft made several landing attempts before returning to Baku. 

Unfortunately, technical failures and possible external factors contributed to the crash near Aktau.

Airworthiness, Operational Failures

The Embraer 190 was fully airworthy before takeoff, and FDR records prove that the flight control systems were operational until the accident. The flight's engines also performed typically until the accident despite their technical reliability when the flight began. 

A series of failures started after GPS signals were lost in Russian airspace and repeated over Grozny Airport.

The aircraft attempted to land twice in Grozny but returned to Baku. The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) picked up two external noises separated by 24 seconds over Grozny. A failure followed this in the aircraft's hydraulic systems. 

The third hydraulic system failed first, followed almost simultaneously by the first and second. The loss of hydraulic means severely affected the ability to maintain control over the flight operations.

Hydraulic System Failures, Aircraft Damages

The investigation has confirmed that the loss of all three hydraulic systems was a critical factor in the loss of primary flight controls. Six seconds later, the third system failed, and 21 seconds later, the second system failed. 

This chain of failures damaged the fuselage, especially the rear section, which included the vertical and horizontal stabilizers and left wing. Photos and video evidence reveal considerable damage, suggesting that foreign objects hit the aircraft.

According to the preliminary report, no bird strikes were reported, but foreign objects were found in the wreckage. The foreign objects could not be of the aircraft structure, but their exact origin is unknown. 

Expert analysis will be done to track their origin. Photographs of these objects have been made public as part of the investigation.

The Role of Foreign Objects, Fuselage Damages

One of the notable findings is the presence of foreign objects in the fuselage damage. Although no bird strike was found, the report indicated that these objects could have contributed to the critical damage to the aircraft's fuselage. 

These objects, not part of the aircraft's structure, will be further examined to determine their nature and origin. Through and blind damages of the fuselage and wing sections, primarily on the aft section, further posed questions about the type of impact that caused the failure.

The investigation will continue to analyze these findings in detail. The result may determine the source of the foreign bodies, which can shed light on the root causes of the accident. 

Identifying these foreign bodies is paramount because this may prevent the same occurrence and improve the safety protocols surrounding FOD in aviation.

No Explosion of Oxygen Cylinders or Sabotage

This preliminary report also addressed some other critical questions. Among other things, there was no explosion related to the oxygen cylinders in the aircraft, as some people supposed it would have been a possible cause of this crash. Additionally, it could not prove that sabotage is among the probable reasons at this stage.

At 05:13:32 local time, the aircraft lost its primary flight controls. By 05:21:42, the air traffic controller had relayed information about the 'Kovyor' special operation to Grozny ATC. 

This indicated a serious breakdown in the aircraft's flight systems, which led to the crash. Factors contributing to the loss of primary control will remain the focal point of the investigation, as this was the central aspect of the accident.

Ongoing Investigation, Next Steps

Azerbaijani Airlines and the Republic of Azerbaijan actively participated in the investigation and site inspection and helped collect data from the airplane's black box. 

The details provided by the Cockpit Voice Recorder and Flight Data Recorder are pivotal for determining the order of events on the day the aircraft crashed. 

These devices are vital in determining the specific causes of an accident. They track essential information, including pilot communications, flight parameters, and technical malfunctions.

According to the Chicago Convention, a final report on the causes of the crash will be prepared within one year of the incident date. The investigation is ongoing, and the final report will comprehensively analyze the accident and include safety recommendations to prevent similar occurrences.

In the coming months, investigators will continue to examine all relevant evidence, including foreign objects found in the wreckage, and will provide updates on the progress of the investigation. 

The final report is expected to clarify the exact causes of the accident and help shape future safety measures to protect passengers and crew on commercial flights.

Conclusion

The J2 Embraer 190-100 IGW crash near Aktau is a tragic reminder of the complex factors contributing to aviation accidents. While the investigation continues, the crew's professionalism and the rapid response from emergency services have been praised for saving lives. 

Once the preliminary report is finalized, it will lead to a more intense investigation focusing on understanding what happened and lessons learned to ensure the safety and security of air travel globally.

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