A multinational team of aviation experts has convened in Brazil to analyze the black box data recovered from the Azerbaijan Airlines crash aircraft.
The Aeronautical Accidents Investigation and Prevention Centre (CENIPA) has now extracted the data from the two black boxes.
Azerbaijan Airlines flight J28243, operated by an Embraer E190 tragically crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, on 25 December 2024. The scheduled flight, carrying 62 passengers and five crew members, was originally en route from Baku, Azerbaijan to Grozny, Russia.
The accident resulted in the devastating loss of 38 lives and has prompted a comprehensive investigation. This has collectively involved authorities from Brazil, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia.
Analysis of Azerbaijan Airlines ‘Black Box’ Data
The focus of the Azerbaijan Airlines crash investigation currently centers on deciphering the information stored within the two crucial flight recorders. These are the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and the flight data recorder (FDR).
The CVR captures audio recordings of conversations between pilots and air traffic control. The FDR records a vast array of flight parameters, including altitude, speed, and aircraft systems performance.
By examining these recordings, investigators aim to piece together a clear picture of the events leading up to the crash. This includes scrutinizing pilot actions, analyzing communication exchanges, and identifying any anomalies in the aircraft’s flight path or systems operation.
The collaborative effort between the international team is crucial to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation. Each nation brings unique expertise and resources to the table. This allows for a comprehensive examination of all potential factors that may have contributed to the tragic incident.
Release of Findings
The data extraction and analysis process is expected to be conducted with utmost urgency. However, the release of definitive conclusions will still be some way off.
The investigation will proceed methodically, with investigators carefully scrutinizing every piece of available evidence. This will ensure an accurate and comprehensive understanding of the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Speculation on Causes of Accident
The immediate aftermath of the Azerbaijan Airlines crash saw a flurry of speculation regarding its cause. Initial reports from Russian authorities attributed the incident to a potential bird strike.
However, this explanation was quickly met with scepticism by some aviation experts and raised concerns among Western officials.
Reports increasingly suggested that the Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash may have been caused by Russian air defense systems. It is believed that ground to air defense systems accidently fired on the commercial aircraft as it approached Grozny airport in Chechnya.
Russian air defenses were actively repelling incoming Ukrainian drones when the incident occurred.
Some analysts pointed to potential misidentification of the aircraft as a hostile target, leading to the tragic incident.
The involvement of multiple nations and the geopolitical tensions in the region added layers of sensitivity to the inquiry.
As the investigation progresses, the focus has now shifted towards analyzing the black box data and the gathered evidence from the crash site to determine the definitive cause of the tragedy.
Click the banner to subscribe to our weekly newsleter.
Click the photo to join our WhatsApp channel so then you can stay up to date with everything going on in the aviation industry!
