Purported transcript of final communications between crashed Azerbaijan Airlines plane and air traffic controllers published online

Source: Baza

The Telegram channel Baza has published what appears to be the full transcript of communications between the Azerbaijan Airlines plane that crashed on December 25 and air traffic controllers in Grozny, Rostov-on-Don, and Aktau.

According to the transcript, the crew initially attributed the plane’s issues to a bird strike to the engine. The pilots initially attempted to return to Baku but faced control system failures, prompting several changes in their decision regarding an emergency landing site. They first considered Mineralnye Vody, then Makhachkala, and ultimately decided to land in Aktau.

The crew also reported to controllers that oxygen levels in the passenger cabin were depleting, suggesting a possible oxygen cylinder explosion as the cause.

Baza did not disclose the source of the transcript, and its authenticity has not been independently verified.