The published transcript of the conversations between the pilots of the Azerbaijan Airlinea (AZAL) Embraer 190 aircraft was released after the black boxes were analyzed. The Telegram channel Baza shared the alleged full version of the transcript. According to the documents, the crash occurred due to the accidental interference from a Russian anti-missile defense system when the plane was descending to land in Grozny. The incident sparked a wide public outcry as accident resulted in the deaths of 38 people, with 29 passengers being saved.
Transcript of AZAL Pilots’ Conversations: The Commander’s Independent Decision and Rejection of Russian Controllers’ Suggestions
The transcript reveals how the aircraft commander made the decision to divert the plane to Aktau, despite Russian controllers’ suggestions to land within Russian territory.
According to the transcript, the crew changed their plan several times in response to the deteriorating condition of the plane. Initially, the pilots intended to land in Grozny, then requested weather data for Mineralnye Vody, Makhachkala, and finally selected Aktau.
“Everything’s in order. Proceeding to Mineralnye Vody,” the aircraft commander reported at 8:17:19. However, four minutes later, he added, “I’m losing control of the aircraft. Allow us to land at Makhachkala.”
The crash of the Aktau plane: Aliyev and Azerbaijan – Accusations and Disagreements
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev placed the blame for the incident on the Russian authorities, while Vladimir Putin partially acknowledged responsibility. However, Moscow continues to deny several of the accusations made by official Baku. Meanwhile, experts emphasize that the failure of EW systems and navigation glitches were key factors in the crash.
Video footage of the damaged wing of the Embraer aircraft taken from inside the cabin by a passenger just before the crash in Aktau, Kazakhstan:
Transcript of Black Boxes: Electronic Warfare and Navigation Failure, GPS Issues, and NDB Problems
According to the transcript, the AZAL aircraft that arrived in Aktau when the crash occurred had problems with GPS navigation due to the operation of Russian electronic warfare (EW) systems used to protect against drones. In the absence of accurate navigation, the pilots requested to use the NDB system.
“GPS sensors and transponders were not working on board, so the pilots requested a less accurate approach via NDB,” the report states.
This system is less precise than modern satellite technology but allows for landing under challenging conditions. It affected the accuracy of the landing approach and the functioning of the transponder.
“Despite unstable conditions, the pilots were granted permission to land, as weather conditions near Grozny met the standards,” the transcript states.
However, the landing approach turned out to be unstable twice. This could have been due to interference caused by the EW systems, which affected the operation of the beacons.
Cause of the Aktau Crash: Missile Fragment Impact, System Failures, Loss of Control of the AZAL Aircraft
After the presumed missile fragment strike, the crew lost control due to failure of all three hydraulic systems. These systems control the altitude and direction of the aircraft. According to the transcript, the pilots attempted to control the plane using the engine control levers, increasing the speed of one engine to turn in the desired direction.
“Cabin depressurization makes control extremely difficult, especially at 8,000 feet,” the report states.
Cause of the Aktau Crash: Black Boxes of the AZAL Aircraft
The presented transcript mentions an explosion in the tail section of the plane that caused the failure of all three hydraulic systems. The crew used emergency engine control to try to stabilize the flight, but controlling the speed and roll was extremely difficult.
“We’ve lost control through hydraulics. We’ll have to work with the engines,” the recorded conversation states.
Cabin depressurization forced the plane to descend to 8,000 feet (almost 2,500 meters), while the safe flight altitude was limited to 3,000 meters. These conditions virtually excluded the possibility of continuing to alternative airfields such as Makhachkala or Mineralnye Vody.
Crash of the aircraft and black boxes: Initial Assumptions by the Pilots
In the first minutes after the incident, the pilots considered the possibility of a bird strike or an explosion of a technical oxygen cylinder in the tail section of the plane. The pilots first mentioned the possibility of a bird strike at 8:14:19. Two minutes later, they reported the explosion of the oxygen tank onboard. These theories were also actively discussed by Russian authorities, including Rosaviation.
“Oxygen is running out in the passenger cabin. I think an oxygen tank exploded there. Smell of fuel. Passengers are losing consciousness,” the commander noted.
The situation worsened with the failure of the aileron and elevator control system, which the crew reported at 8:39:09. This severely limited the plane’s maneuverability and made control difficult.
The detailed black box transcript of the AZAL aircraft revealed that the loss of control was caused by a missile fragment hit. This was also confirmed by the fact that the hydraulic systems were switched off.
Attempts to Land and the Decision of the AZAL Pilots: Why Did They Choose Aktau?
The Embraer 190 crew decided to divert the plane to Aktau airport as this route proved to be the most feasible for a landing considering the damage. However, the approach to land in Aktau also proved unstable, and the engine-controlled maneuvering did not allow the crew to safely complete the maneuver.
“We see the runway, but we can’t stabilize the roll,” the conversation records.
The crew considered alternative airports in Makhachkala, Baku, and Mineralnye Vody as backup options. However, GPS jamming, altitude issues, and the risk of further incidents forced the pilots to choose Aktau. This airport was the closest available one for the damaged plane.
The attempt to land in Aktau also failed. Controlling the plane with the engines was extremely difficult, and the risk of error during descent increased.
Weather Conditions in Grozny: Minor Interference and the Impossibility of Returning to Grozny or Baku
At the time of the crash in Aktau, no fog or other weather factors that could have affected the landing were observed. Even with the use of NDB, the landing should have been successful with proper pilot actions. However, the transcript showed that the plane attempted to land twice, but without success.
Transcript of Conversations: Attempts to Determine the Landing Site
During the emergency flight, controllers from Rostov and other airports offered the crew alternative landing options. For example, at 8:39:09, the Rostov controller recommended Makhachkala, but the commander insisted on continuing the flight to Baku.
“Recommendation: Makhachkala, 160 km southeast of you. Ready to accept. Your decision?” asked the controller.
The commander responded, “Proceeding to Baku.”
By 9:02, the crew had contacted the tower in Kazakhstan, requesting permission to land in Aktau. The conversations with the Aktau controllers were completed by 9:27.
Russian Controllers and the Actions of the AZAL Aircraft Crew: Expertise and Investigation by the SKR
An official representative of the Russian Investigative Committee, Svetlana Petrenko, reported that a comprehensive examination was assigned to analyze the actions of the controllers and the air traffic system. The investigation is being conducted in collaboration with Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and specialists from the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC).
“Data from the recorders obtained at the Brazilian Aviation Accident Investigation and Prevention Center (SENIPA) are being studied,” noted the SKR.
Aircraft Crash and Transcript of AZAL Pilots’ Conversations: Expert Opinion – A Combination of Causes
The chief expert from the Institute of Transport Economics and Transport Policy of the National Research University Higher School of Economics, Fyodor Borisov, called the disaster a result of a combination of factors.
“The tragedy was caused by external interference with the Embraer aircraft. The commander’s decisions were made under stressful conditions,” Borisov stated.
The expert noted that the final conclusions from the black box analysis were still pending. Only this analysis would help determine the precise cause of the crash and what steps are needed to prevent similar disasters.
Transcript of Conversations Between Pilots and Controllers: Details of the Embraer E190 Disaster
Miroslav Boychuk, President of the Russian Flight Crew Union and Airbus A330 pilot, commented on the transcript of the radio exchange between the AZAL Embraer E190 crew and Russian controllers. He stated that the exchange of messages was conducted strictly in accordance with international aviation radio communication rules. The primary initiative to divert to Aktau came from the crew.
“The situation was abnormal, an emergency requiring rapid decision-making. More detailed information on the crew’s actions will be available after the black box data analysis,” Boychuk noted.
Chronology of the AZAL Aircraft Disaster: Passenger Flight from Baku to Grozny
On December 25, the Embraer E190 aircraft from Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) flying from Baku to Grozny crashed near Aktau. There were 62 passengers and five crew members on board, 38 of whom died.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated that the tragedy could have been avoided if measures had been taken in time to close the airspace. Aliyev called for:
- A transparent investigation,
- Punishment of those responsible,
- A full analysis of the circumstances surrounding the crash.
“We demand justice and a thorough assessment of the actions of all those involved in the incident,” Aliyev emphasized.
Black Box Transcript of the Embraer E190 Aircraft: The Importance of Flight Data Recorders in the Investigation
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that the data from the black boxes obtained during a meeting in Brazil had already provided valuable information. Lavrov emphasized that premature conclusions in the media could distort the facts.
“The content of the black boxes convinces us that we need to wait for the investigation to conclude before drawing any conclusions,” Lavrov said.
The black box analysis is being carried out with the participation of experts from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Brazil. Investigators are working to determine the exact sequence of events leading up to the crash.
Conclusion of the Preliminary Investigation and Coordination Between Authorities
As the investigation progresses, authorities from all four countries involved are coordinating efforts to assess the situation thoroughly. The final report will likely provide insight into how Russian electronic warfare systems impacted the flight’s navigation and the role played by the malfunctioning hydraulic systems and GPS jamming.
International Aviation Experts Weigh In on the Crash
Aviation experts have called the crash a “tragic combination of technical failure and external interference.” They argue that while the aircraft’s hydraulic and GPS systems failed, the Russian anti-missile defense system played a pivotal role in disrupting the flight’s systems, making an already difficult situation even worse.
Further Developments in the Investigation
The ongoing investigation is expected to yield more details regarding the final moments of the flight. In the coming months, aviation authorities hope to present a clearer picture of the events that led to the tragic crash. These findings will likely prompt further discussions about international airspace security and the potential risks of electronic warfare affecting civilian flights.
Families of the Victims Demand Accountability
The families of the victims continue to demand justice. Many relatives have publicly expressed their outrage at the circumstances leading to the crash. While the investigation continues, they are calling for accountability and greater transparency regarding the role of electronic warfare in the incident.
Russian Authorities Respond
Despite accusations from Azerbaijani officials, Russian authorities have defended their actions and emphasized that they were following established protocols. They argue that the aircraft’s failure to land at its original destination was due to a combination of factors, including the crew’s handling of the emergency and technical failures. Russian officials are committed to cooperating fully with the international investigation.
Looking Ahead: Aviation Safety and Policy Reform
This tragic accident has sparked renewed calls for reforms in aviation safety, particularly regarding the vulnerability of civilian aircraft to interference from military operations. Experts have suggested that international airspace agreements may need to be revisited to address the risks posed by military systems, especially near conflict zones.
As the investigation into the Aktau crash continues, both aviation professionals and regulators around the world are reflecting on what lessons can be learned to prevent such an incident from happening again. The final report will not only answer critical questions about the crash but also contribute to shaping future policies for ensuring the safety of passengers worldwide.
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