Experts doubt Russian claims of bird strike in Kazakhstan plane crash
Experts doubt Russian claims of bird strike in Kazakhstan plane crash
Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash in Kazakhstan "does not look like" bird strike as Russia suggested, experts say
Summary
An Azerbaijan Airlines plane crashed in Kazakhstan, killing 38 and injuring 29, with speculation mounting that Russia’s military may have been involved.
Experts doubt Russia’s suggestion of a bird strike, citing damage to the plane’s fuselage consistent with shrapnel from an airborne weapon.
The plane’s GPS system was reportedly malfunctioning, and survivors reported hearing an explosion before the crash.
Investigations by Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia are ongoing, with black boxes recovered.
The incident evokes comparisons to the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17.