A second black box has been recovered from Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243, which investigators hope will provide more insight into the crash’s cause. Flightradar24 reported that GPS jamming occurred near Grozny, which could have interfered with the plane’s navigation and communication systems.
Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243 crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, killing at least 38 of the 67 people aboard on Christmas Day. Authorities are currently investigating the cause, and early reports suggest a Russian anti-aircraft system may have downed the plane.
Flight Path and Emergency Landing
The flight was originally traveling from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Russia. However, due to heavy fog, it was rerouted. Subsequently, the plane crashed near Aktau after signaling a control failure and reports of an oxygen tank explosion. As a result, six survivors remain in critical condition.
Cause of the Crash
While initial reports suggested the crash was caused by a bird strike, Ukrainian officials and experts have raised concerns that the plane may have been hit by a Russian air defense system. Russian air defenses were active in the region when the crash occurred, further fueling these suspicions.
Ongoing Investigation
Currently, a commission from Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Russia is leading the investigation. However, it’s important to note that Russian and Azerbaijani law enforcement will not conduct forensic investigations. Authorities have urged the public not to speculate on the cause until the investigation is concluded.
