The crashed plane was struggling with GPS signal interference. Ambiguities surrounding the accident are increasing

The machine on flight J28243 took off from Baku at 03:55 UTC (coordinated world time) and was headed for Grozny. The flight was supposed to last approximately one hour and nine minutes. In reality, however, it was extended by 1.5 hours. According to Flightradar24 records, the machine even disappeared from radars for some time and was exposed to strong GPS signal interference.

It was GPS interference that caused the plane to transmit bad data. “At 04:40 we lost the signal. At 06:07, the signal was restored before the machine crashed at 06:28,” reports Flightradar24.

Local media reported that the plane was diverted twice due to heavy fog. Instead of Grozny, air traffic control chose Makhachkala, the capital of Dagestan, which, like Chechnya, is part of the Russian Federation. After Makhachkala, Kazakhstan’s Aktau was chosen as the replacement airport.

Reports also differ as to whether the plane crashed in Aktau on the shores of the Caspian Sea. Initial information indicated a hard landing. However, published footage shows how the descending machine hit the ground and caught fire. According to the video from the scene of the accident, it can be seen that the fuselage of the plane was torn into several parts.

The authorities have not yet informed about the cause of the accident. Local media initially reported that the crew requested an emergency landing due to the fire, as a pressure cylinder was supposed to explode there. The Kazakh website Tengrinews reported on the collision with a flock of birds. When the rescuers arrived, the front part of the machine was on fire.

28 people survived the accident, rescued by rescuers from the broken off rear part of the plane.