ICAO pledges support for AZAL crash probe

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has pledged its full support for the investigation into the Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243 crash, which occurred on 25 December 2024.

In a statement, ICAO extended condolences to the victims’ families and loved ones, and emphasised its commitment to uncovering the causes of the incident.

The organisation invoked Annex 13 of the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation, urging all Member States to collaborate in facilitating a comprehensive and impartial investigation.

The crash, involving a Baku-Grozny flight, has already led to the suspension of multiple AZAL routes to Russia as safety concerns take precedence. ICAO’s involvement underscores the international aviation community’s determination to maintain rigorous safety standards and transparency in addressing such tragedies.

By coordinating efforts across its Member States, ICAO aims to support Azerbaijan’s authorities in ensuring the investigation delivers crucial insights, bolstering future aviation safety and preventing similar incidents.

ICAO said in a statement: “These international civil aviation standards call for an independent investigation, with all affected States to be invited. The investigators are mandated to identify all relevant information on the accident, and to report on the facts and any potential safety or security related factors that may have caused, or contributed to, this tragedy. They are also encouraged to recommend relevant safety improvements resulting from their findings.

“It is in the interest of aviation in safety and security that ICAO has readied itself to support this investigation, assigning an ICAO expert to be deployed onsite as an observer to the international investigation team.

“The organisation is calling on all concerned States and service providers to protect all relevant information and records as part of their full cooperation with the investigation process.

“The investigation, as prescribed by Annex 13, shall be conducted with the sole objective of preventing future accidents and incidents, through the collection and analysis of safety data and information. Annex 13 calls for a preliminary report to be produced within 30 days of the accident, with a final report to follow within 12 months.

“ICAO’s supporting role will help to ensure a thorough investigation that examines all potential contributing factors to this accident so that tragedies of this kind can be prevented.”