BAKU/MOSCOW - "External interference" is likely the cause of a recent Azerbaijani plane crash, said Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev, citing preliminary investigations and survivors' testimonies.
"Initial reports had suggested a bird strike, but experts now believe external interference was the cause of the crash," Nabiyev said, adding that the exact type of weapon used still needs to be determined, according to AZERTAC news agency's report on Friday.
Survivors reported hearing three explosions over Grozny, Nabiyev said, noting that "it is necessary to determine the type of weapon."
The Azerbaijan Airlines plane that crashed Wednesday was unable to land in the Grozny airport due to its flight restrictions, local media reported Friday, citing Dmitry Yadrov, head of Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency Rosaviatsiya.
Yadrov said that Ukrainian combat drones were carrying out attacks in the cities of Grozny and Vladikavkaz at that time, prompting the Grozny airport to require the immediate departure of all aircraft from the specified area.
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"In addition, there was thick fog in the area of the Grozny airport. There was no visibility at an altitude of 500 meters," he added.
The pilot made two unsuccessful attempts to land in Grozny, and was offered alternative airports for landing. The plane ultimately proceeded to the Aktau airport, Yadrov said.
"It is necessary to carefully and completely verify all the circumstances of what happened," he noted.
An Embraer 190 aircraft operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, flight J2-8243 from Baku to Grozny, crashed near the Kazakh city of Aktau on Wednesday, with 62 passengers and five crew members on board. Thirty eight people were killed in the crash, and 29 were rescued, according to Kazakhstan's Ministry of Emergency Situations.
On Friday, Azerbaijan Airlines announced a suspension of flights from Baku to several Russian cities, effective Saturday.
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The decision, made by Azerbaijan's State Civil Aviation Agency, aims to mitigate potential risks to flight safety, the airline's press service confirmed.
