Tengrinews.kz - The Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan has published a report with preliminary findings from the investigation into the crash of the Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) aircraft, which crashed on December 25 near Aktau. Among other things, the report includes the flight crew's communications with ground services.
Earlier, we reported that the crew encountered problems at 05:13:31 when an impact occurred, and the autopilot disengagement alarm was triggered.
Screenshot from the document of the Ministry of Transport of the RK
The second impact occurred at 05:13:56, after which the captain had the following exchange with the flight attendant:
- Hello, what happened?
- Two seats exploded, I can't get closer because the passengers are standing, I'm trying to seat them.
The crew then attempted to contact the control tower in Grozny. The pilots assumed that the two impacts resulted from bird strikes.
Document of the Ministry of Transport of the RK
During communications with Grozny, the crew reported losing control and requested weather conditions for Mineralnye Vody and later for Makhachkala before deciding to return to Baku.
Document of the Ministry of Transport of the RK
At 05:26:58, communications with Grozny ceased. At 05:29:24, contact was established with the Rostov control tower.
At 05:42:40, the decision was made to head to Aktau due to favorable weather conditions.
Document of the Ministry of Transport of the RK
At 06:02:47, the aircraft crew contacted the Aktau airport tower and, for the first time, transmitted an international distress signal.
Document of the Ministry of Transport of the RK
Vectoring refers to providing navigational guidance to aircraft by directing crews along specific courses based on radar data.
Earlier, it was reported that the Ministry of Transport had published a report with preliminary findings from the investigation into the crash of the Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) aircraft, which crashed on December 25 near Aktau. The full document is available here.