Survivors of Azerbaijani Plane Crash Recall Hearing Bangs Before Tragedy

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Survivors of the Azerbaijan Airlines Flight J2-8243 crash reported hearing loud bangs before the plane went down near Aktau, Kazakhstan. The crash, which occurred on Wednesday, killed at least 38 people and left 29 survivors. 

Subhonkul Rakhimov, a passenger, described hearing a loud bang as the plane approached its initial destination, Grozny, Russia. “After the bang…I thought the plane was going to fall apart,” he said from his hospital bed. “It was as if the plane was drunk—not the same plane anymore.” 

Another passenger, Vafa Shabanova, also heard a loud bang, followed by a second one. A flight attendant instructed her to move to the back of the plane. 

Flight attendant Zulfugar Asadov recounted that fog prevented a landing in Grozny, causing the pilot to circle. “The pilot had just lifted the plane up when I heard a bang from the left wing. There were three bangs,” Asadov said. The cabin lost pressure, and debris struck his arm. 

Survivors noted issues with oxygen levels in the cabin after the bangs. Footage taken before the crash showed oxygen masks deployed, passengers wearing life vests, and chaotic scenes aboard the aircraft. 

The Embraer passenger jet had originally flown from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny before veering off course over the Caspian Sea. The plane crashed near Aktau after the captain opted for a ground landing rather than a sea landing. 

Azerbaijan Airlines suspended flights to Russian cities following the crash, citing “physical and technical external interference.” Preliminary findings from Azerbaijani investigators suggest the plane may have been mistakenly shot down by Russian air defenses. Russia has called for patience until the official investigation concludes. 

Rosaviatsia, Russia’s aviation authority, stated that dense fog and a local alert for Ukrainian drones led to the decision to reroute the flight. The captain was reportedly offered multiple alternative airports before choosing Aktau. 

This crash underscores the growing risks to civil aviation near conflict zones. Despite being over 850 kilometers (530 miles) from Ukraine’s front lines, Grozny and surrounding areas have been targeted by Ukrainian drones. 

Russia employs advanced air defense systems and electronic jamming to counter drones, but this incident highlights the dangers of operating civilian flights in airspace where military activity is ongoing. 

The crash is reminiscent of past aviation tragedies linked to military conflicts, including the 2020 downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 by Iranian forces, the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 by a Russian BUK missile, and others involving accidental shootdowns. 

Russian and Azerbaijani authorities, alongside Kazakh officials, are investigating the crash. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov refrained from commenting on reports that Russian air defenses were responsible, urging the public to wait for official findings. 

Andrew Nicholson, CEO of Osprey Flight Solutions, warned of the heightened risks for civilian aircraft in conflict zones. “The second you stick civilian aircraft in that same airspace, you massively increase the risk,” he said, emphasizing the ongoing dangers in regions with active drone warfare and air defense operations. 

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