AZAL Crash: Baza Claims to Have Published Transcript of Talks between Pilots and Dispatchers

The Baza Telegram channel claims to have published a full transcript of the conversations between the pilots of the crashed Embraer-190 and the dispatchers.

According to the alleged transcript, the AZAL crew decided not to land in Grozny or Makhachkala and return to Baku but flew to Aqtau.

The transcript also indicates that the aircraft crew members voiced their opinions about an oxygen cylinder explosion on board and the bird strike.

Baza does not disclose its sources, and the authenticity and completeness of the recording have not been officially confirmed or verified.

After the plane crash in December, we published part of the reported transcript of the conversations between the pilots and dispatchers. 

Here is the transcript from when the Rostov dispatchers began conversations:

(Crew (C)/ Dispatcher (D):

8:27:13 C: Rostov-Control 134.1, Azerbaijan 82-43.

8:27:32 C: Rostov-Control, Azerbaijan 82-43, good day. Question: can we proceed directly to Baku?

8:27:41 D: Good day, 82-43, Rostov-Control.

8:27:47 C: Azerbaijan 82-43, flight level 80, clearance for Baku? Steering control failed, using throttle steering.

8:28:03 D: Azerbaijan 82-43, Rostov-Control, identified. Your decision, will you proceed to Baku?

8:28:09 C: Yes, yes, proceeding to Baku at this altitude.

8:28:14 D: Confirm, are you proceeding at flight level 90?

8:28:17 C: Yes, confirm, we are keeping, maintaining flight level 90. Please give us the general heading for Baku.

8:28:41 D: Azerbaijan 82-43, there is no current heading yet to the command, and what assistance do you need upon arrival?

8:28:53 D: 82-43, Rostov-Control.

8:28:56 C: Responding. Upon arrival, no assistance is needed, proceeding to Baku.

8:29:02 C: Control failed, using throttle.

8:29:07 D: Azerbaijan 82-43, inform us of current heading.

8:29:18 C: Heading 100 degrees (inaudible).

8:29:22 D: 82-43 repeat, unclear.

8:29:28 C: Heading 90, Azerbaijan 82-43.

8:29:31 D: Azerbaijan 82-43, Heading 1-4-0.

8:29:36 C: Heading 1-4-0, Azerbaijan 82-43.

8:30:55 D: Azerbaijan 82-43, confirm that you are maintaining flight level 90.

8:31:02 C: Didn't catch that.

8:31:03 D: Azerbaijan, 90, correction Azerbaijan 82-43, Rostov-Control, confirm you are maintaining flight level 9-0.

8:31:10 C: Confirm, maintaining as best we can.

8:31:25 D: AZ 82-43 (inaudible), Rostov-Control 127.9.

8:31:33 C: 127.9 Azerbaijan 82-43.

8:31:38 C: Rostov-Control, Azerbaijan 82-43, request an alignment to Baku.

8:31:43 D: Azerbaijan 82-43. On the current heading, you can get into a mountainous area in southwest. If possible, maintain heading 90 until the command. When neither the mountainous area nor the restrictions interfere, we will try to get you to Bumar.

8:31:58 C: Thank you. I will try to maintain heading 090 Azerbaijan 82-43.

8:32:05 D: Azerbaijan 82-43, we have a flat area, safe altitude flight level 80; if possible, try not to descend below flight level 80.

8:32:15 C: Copy that, thank you.

8:33:02 C: Calm them down; everything is fine; we are going to Baku.

8:33:08 D: AZ 82-43, repeat.

8:33:19 C: On the line, Azerbaijani.

8:33:22 D: Azerbaijan 82-43, did you say something? Please repeat. Is everything okay? Are you going to Baku?

8:33:27 C: No, no, we are going to Baku. So we have a hydraulic system failure. We are using throttle steering control.

8:33:35 D: 82-43, copy, hydraulic system failure.

8:33:51 D: AZ 8-2-43, you are deviating to the north. Take correction eastbound of about 30 degrees to the right.

8:34:02 C: Copy that, 30 degrees to the right.

8:34:11 D: AZ 8-2-43, recommendation: Makhachkala is 160 km southeast of you, technically suitable, and ready to accept. Your decision?

8:34:23 C: Give me Baku weather.

8:34:26 D: AZ 8-2-43, repeat (inaudible).

8:34:29 C: Give me Baku weather, please.

8:34:31 D: AZ 8-2-43, stand by.

8:34:34 C: Copy.

8:34:43 D: ZA 8-2-43, Baku actual weather for 30 minutes: wind 320 degrees. 14 knots, visibility over 10 km. Cloudiness is significant at 660, correction 960 m, temperature 9, dew point 5. QNH 1-0 27 hPa, no substantial changes for 2 hours.

8:35:05 C: Ok, Makhachkala weather.

8:35:09 D: ZA 8-2-43, can you confirm this flight level 60? Need to follow 80 and higher in this area if possible.

8:35:17 C: (inaudible)

8:35:41 D: Makhachkala actual weather for 30 minutes wind 320 degrees. 2 m per second, visibility 4800 m haze, cloud cover slight 180 m, overcast 720 m, temperature 7, dew point 5. QNH 1-0 2-6 hPa, runway 30 operational, live braking efficiency good, no significant changes for 2 hours and QBB 180 m.

8:36:09 C: No, proceeding to Baku.

8:36:12 D: ZA 8-2-43, on the current heading (inaudible), you have 0-40. Turn right 1-3-0.

8:36:41 D: ZA 8-2-43, Vostok-Control, can you hear me?

8:36:45 C: Can hear you just fine.

8:36:47 D: ZA 8-2-43, is it possible to take heading 1-3-0 to the right?

C: Turning, set the heading (on the vector) Azerbaijan 82-43.

8:37:30 D: 8-2-43 Can you report remaining fuel and which engines bird hit?

8:38:14 D: Aza 8-2-43, if possible, climb to flight level 90.

8:38:23 C: I'll try. Azerbaijan 8-2-43.

8:38:33 D: (inaudible) transmitting, climb altitude 9000 if possible.

8:38:38 D: ZA 8-2-43, repeat.

8:38:43 D: No, this is a Georgian plane (inaudible) 9-2-9, duplicating your commands so that they climb altitude 9000.

8:38:49 D: 0-9-2-9 thank you.

8:39:09 C: Rostov Azerbaijan a-a 83-43, in 2-43, (fuel) on board 3-830, engines running, aileron and elevator control system failed.

8:39:28 D: ZA 8-2-43 understood, control system failed, engines running.

8:39:43 C: Remaining fuel, a, 3-800.

8:39:51 D: Azal 8-2-43 recorded.

8:39:57 D: Azal 8-2-43, please inform me of the remaining fuel hours.

8:40:01 C: No time.

8:40:03 C: Aqtau weather?

8:40:06 D: Za 8-2-43 stand by.

8:40:08 C: Standing by.

8:41:39 D: Aza 8-2-43 actual weather Aqtau uniform (alpha tango echo) for 30 min. Wind 0-40 degrees 6 m/s, visibility over 10 km, significant cloudiness at 1080 m, temperature 4, dew point -1, QNH 1-0-2-7 hPa, no substantial changes for 2 hours.

8:42:03 C: Copy that. What landing runway are you giving?

8:42:06 D: ZA 8-2-43, unclear.

8:42:09 C: What landing runway?

8:42:13 D: Landing (unintelligible) (big).

8:42:16 D: 8-2-43 There is no runway in Metar; we will check now. Will inform.

8:42:20 C: Can you...

8:45:26 D: AZ 8-2-43, indication flight level 60; if possible, ascend flight level 9-0.

8:45:34 С: Will try to ascend flight level 9-0, Azerbaijan 82-43.

8:45:41 D: 1-8-2-43, and if possible, let me know what assistance needed upon arrival.

8:45:58 С: Firefighters, evacuation, medics Azerbaijan 8243.

8:46:04 D: (inaudible) 42-8-3, unclear, only understood medics (inaudible).

8:46:19 C: Azerbaijan 8-2-43, firefighters, evacuation, and medics required.

8:46:25 D: (...an/yeah) 8-2-43, understood, firefighters, evacuation... evacuation and medics required, will pass on information.

8:47:45 D: (inaudible) If possible, turn right 20 degrees to heading 090.

8:47:52 C: Turn right to heading 090 (inaudible) 3.

8:49:43 D: ZA 8-2-43. For information, descend again to flight level 70. If possible, climb to flight level 9-0.

8:49:56 C: Climbing to flight level se... seven... 19 (inaudible) to eight... eight hundred and three.

8:50:03 D: ZA 8-2-43, confirm, climb to 9-0.

8:50:19 D: ZA 8-2-43, if possible, give information on remaining fuel hours.

8:50:29 C: One and a half hours, Azerbaijan, 82-43.

8:51:05 D: Azerbaijan 8-2-43, when possible, relay passenger amount.

8:51:12 C: 62 passengers, 8-2-43.

8:51:16 C: Not enough oxygen (inaudible), we do not have enough oxygen.

8:51:17 D: Azerbaijan 8-2-43, repeat passenger amount and hazardous cargo.

8:51:25 C: 62 passengers, no hazardous cargo, Azerbaijan 8-2-43.

8:51:31 D: Azerbaijan 82-43, copy, recorded, 62 passengers, no hazardous cargo.

8:51:54 D: Azerbaijan 82-43, this...

8:52:25 D: Azerbaijan 82-43, do you need any data on Aqtau airfield, or do you have everything?

8:52:41 C: No, don't need it. Have everything.

8:52:44 D: Azerbaijan 82-43, copy.

8:52:46 C: So, here's our situation. Running out of passenger cabin oxygen. So, the oxygen tank exploded, I think. Which means there's a smell of fuel. And some passengers... they're losing consciousness. Please authorize flight at a lower altitude.

8:53:04 D: Azerbaijan 82-43, what flight level is required? Please let me know. The information received: the oxygen tank exploded, oxygen running out, and passengers losing consciousness.

8:53:14 C: So, flight level sixty will be ok

8:53:18 D: Azerbaijan 82-43, copy that, descend flight level 60. Will resuscitation be required upon arrival?

8:53:25 C: Probably.

8:53:27 D: Azerbaijan 82-43, copy, descend flight level 60.

8:53:35 C: Descending flight level 60.

8:59:44 D: AZAL 82-43, in response to altitude 54, 55, if possible, maintain 60 flight level.

9:01:41 D: Azerbaijan 82-43; provide an estimated landing time in Aqtau if possible.

9:01:49 C: 6-30 (inaudible), Azerbaijan 82-43.

9:01:53 D: Azerbaijan 82-43, 6-35, did I understand correctly?

9:01:57 C: 6-3-0, Azerbaijan 82-43.

9:02:01 D: Azerbaijan 82-43. 0-6-30, copy time, thank you.

9:02:15 D: Azerbaijan 82-43. If possible, take 10 degrees left to set heading 0-9-0.

9:02:28 C: Correction left to set heading 0-9-0, Azerbaijan 82-43.

9:02:32 D: Azerbaijan 82-43, pass this point... 9 kilometers south, to Aqtau, west... 133 kilometers left and work this point Aqtau-Tower 120... over.

9:02:47 C: 120 comma 7, thank you, Azerbaijan 82-43.

Aqtau dispatchers continue talking with the crew of the Azerbaijan Airlines flight:

9:02:56 C: MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY. Azerbaijan 82-43, Aqtau Tower, good day. Steering control has failed. We are on throttle control. Requesting emergency landing on runway 11.

9:03:13 D: Azerbaijan 82-43, Aqtau Tower, good day; we have identified you and received the information that you are using only the steering control. Distress code 7-7-0-0. Continue descent to 1800 feet, QNH 10-25. Inform on best landing approach. Visually, most likely, yes?

9:03:34 C: Descending to 1800 feet. Will make visual approach. Azerbaijan 82-43. We are on throttle control.

9:03:46 D: Azerbaijan 82-43, do you need vectoring for landing?

9:03:52 C: Yes, please, Azerbaijan 82-43.

9:04:04 D: Azerbaijan eight hundred... 82-43. Repeat; last words unclear. Do you need vectoring for landing?

9:04:10 C: Yes, provide vectoring, Azerbaijan 82-43.

9:04:13 D: 82-43, copy that, heading 0-7-0.

9:04:20 C: Heading 0-7-0, Azerbaijan 82-43.

9:06:44 C: Aqtau-Tower, please position us so we can go straight-in. Azerbaijan 82-43.

9:06:50 D: 82-43, copy, please calculate straight-in approach.

9:06:56 C: Vector so that we land straight-in, without turning, please. Azerbaijan 82-43.

9:07:05 C: Do you copy? Azerbaijan 82-43.

9:07:08 D: Azerbaijan 82-43, over. Proceed with heading 0-5-5.

9:07:13 C: Proceeding with heading 0-5-5. Azerbaijan 82-43.

9:12:50 C: Azerbaijan 82-43, Aqtau-Tower.

9:12:53 D: Azerbaijan 82-43, Aqtau-Tower, over.

9:12:57 C: Should we continue with heading 0-55?

9:13:09 D: Azerbaijan 82-43, turn right1-0-0.

9:13:14 C: Turning right1-0-0, Azerbaijan 82-43.

9:13:26 D: Azerbaijan 82-43, your position, azimuth 282, distance 37 nautical miles.

9:13:34 C: Copy that. Azerbaijan 82-43.

9:14:09 C: KZS_1431 Aqtau-Tower, KZS 14-31.

9:14:13 D: KZS 14-31, Tower responding.

9:14:15 C: KZS_1431 KZS 14-31, we are now passing the SAURA point abeam. Entered the controlled zone. Further, according to plan, at client request, we will be along the seashore to Aqshuqur. We will work along seashore at altitude of 50 to 100 meters until Aqshuqur.

9:14:32 D: KZS 14-31, for info, we have an emergency flight landing. The airport is closed. For now, wait over point SAURA. Will inform later.

9:14:42 C: KZS_1431 And we will not interfere. We are 4-5 kilometers away. Can we follow along the seashore for now?

9:14:49 D: KZS 14-31, follow my instructions. Wait at point SAURA until further instructions.

9:14:54 C: KZS_1431 Copy. Waiting over point SAURA until further instructions, KZS 14-31.

9:15:30 D: Azerbaijani 82-43, please inform us of current heading.

9:15:34 C: Current heading 112, Azerbaijan 82-43.

9:15:37 D: Azerbaijan 82-43, heading 0-9-0.

9:15:41 C: Heading 0-9-0. Azerbaijan 82-43.

9:15:56 D: KZS 14-31, according to my data, you have moved 5 miles from point SAURA. Set course for point SAURA.

9:16:06 C: KZS_1431 KZS 14-31, copy that, turning around, heading SAURA.

9:16:13 C: KZS_1431 Tower, KZS 14-31.

9:16:16 D: KZS 14-31, Tower responding.

9:16:18 C: KZS_1431 A-a-a, then we will exit the controlled area and proceed towards islands.

9:16:25 D: KZS 14-31, copy.

9:16:34 D: Azerbaijan 82-43, bearing 280, distance 25 nautical miles, visual contact with the runway, report.

9:16:45 C: Copy. Visual contact with runway, report. Azerbaijan 82-43.

9:18:36 D: Azerbaijan 82-43, for information runway at 1 o'clock, distance 17 miles.

9:18:43 C: Copy, Azerbaijan 82-43.

9:19:11 D: Azerbaijan 82-43, runway lights turned on for your convenience.

9:19:18 C: Copy, Azerbaijan 82-43.

9:19:43 D: Azerbaijan 82-43, your position is bearing 282, range 13.

9:19:51 C: Copy, Azerbaijan 82-43.

9:19:57 D: Azerbaijan 82-43, heading 0-7-0.

9:20:04 C: Heading 0-7-0, Azerbaijan 82-43.

9:21:02 D: Azerbaijan 82-43, heading 0-9-0.

9:21:09 C: 0-9-0, Azerbaijan 82-43.

9:21:30 D: Azerbaijan 82-43, runway 8 miles away. Do you have a visual on runway?

9:21:39 C: We see it, Azerbaijan 82-43.

9:21:43 D: Azerbaijan 82-43, wind 20 degrees, five meters per second, cleared for landing, runway 11.

9:21:49 C: Cleared for runway 11. Azerbaijan 82-43.

9:23:21 C: We'll make a turn, if possible, we'll make a landing approach. Azerbaijan 82-43.

9:23:24 D: Azerbaijan 82-43, copy. Cleared for landing, wind 20 degrees, five.

9:23:29 C: Cleared for landing, Azerbaijan 82-43.

9:27:07 D: Azerbaijan 82-43, bearing 240, distance 3.

9:27:12 C: Copy, Azerbaijan 82-43.

On December 25, a passenger plane flying from Baku to Grozny crashed near the Aqtau airport. The incident claimed the lives of 38 people, including six citizens of Kazakhstan.

Original Author: Oksana Matvienko