It’s been a very busy holiday period in the aviation sector but for all the wrong reasons.
Two major plane crashes dominated the headlines within days of each other.
If, like many, you’ve been avoiding the news over the Christmas break, here is everything you need to know about the events which took place while you were away from your desk.
Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243:
Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243, an Embraer 190AR en route from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Russia, crashed near Aktau International Airport in Kazakhstan on December 25, 2024, after being severely damaged, reportedly by a Russian anti-aircraft missile.
The aircraft carried 67 people, including 62 passengers and 5 crew members; 38 died in the crash, while 29 survived with injuries. The incident began as the plane approached Grozny, losing GPS navigation due to reported jamming and encountering heavy fog. Passengers reported an explosion and shrapnel striking the aircraft, after which the pilots attempted emergency protocols and diverted toward Aktau. Despite their efforts, the plane crashed during a landing attempt, breaking apart and catching fire.
Investigations revealed perforated damage to the aircraft consistent with a missile strike, and Azerbaijani authorities cited a Russian Pantsir-S1 system as the likely cause. The incident occurred amid Russian air defenses targeting Ukrainian drones near Grozny. Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed regret over the “tragic incident” without acknowledging responsibility, while Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev demanded accountability and compensation.
The crash, which resulted in significant loss of life and injuries, highlighted geopolitical tensions and safety concerns in contested airspaces.
Jeju Air Flight 2216:
Jeju Air Flight 2216, a Boeing 737-800 operating from Bangkok, Thailand, to Muan, South Korea, experienced a catastrophic crash on December 29, 2024.
The aircraft suffered a bird strike during its initial approach to Muan, declared a mayday, and attempted an emergency landing. On its second attempt, the landing gear failed to deploy, resulting in a belly landing beyond the touchdown zone.
The aircraft overran the runway, colliding with a concrete berm supporting an instrument landing system antenna. The crash killed 179 of the 181 occupants, marking the deadliest aviation disaster in South Korea’s history and the most severe involving a Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft.
Two cabin crew members, seated in the aircraft’s detached tail section, survived with serious injuries.
Investigations suggest multiple contributing factors, including the bird strike, possible hydraulic failure, and inadequate safety infrastructure at Muan International Airport.
Experts highlighted issues such as non-frangible obstacles near the runway and a history of bird strikes at the airport, which is located near migratory bird habitats.
Additionally, questions arose regarding Jeju Air’s maintenance practices and the airport’s safety protocols. Both black boxes were recovered for analysis, and an international team, including the NTSB and FAA, is assisting in the investigation. The disaster has prompted a review of safety measures at South Korean airports and scrutiny of Jeju Air’s operational standards.
