ICAO Urges Comprehensive Investigation into Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243 Tragedy

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has expressed its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives or were injured in the tragic crash of Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243 on 25 December 2024.

The incident has prompted ICAO to call for an independent and comprehensive investigation in line with international aviation standards.

In a statement issued by the organisation, ICAO emphasised the need for Member States to fully cooperate with the inquiry under the guidelines of Annex 13 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention).

This directive ensures that all affected States are invited to contribute to an impartial investigation aimed at uncovering the facts surrounding the tragedy and identifying potential safety and security concerns.

The investigation team, operating under Annex 13 protocols, will be tasked with:

Gathering and analysing relevant information about the crash.

Reporting on the facts and identifying factors that may have caused or contributed to the incident.

Recommending safety improvements based on their findings to enhance aviation safety and prevent future occurrences.

In accordance with the established standards, the investigation will focus solely on improving safety rather than assigning blame or liability.

To bolster the inquiry, ICAO has announced its readiness to assist by deploying an expert observer to the investigation team.

The organisation has also called on all concerned States and service providers to protect and preserve all pertinent information and records critical to the investigation.

States entitled to participate in the process include the State of the operator, the State of aircraft registration, the States of the aircraft’s design and manufacture (including its engines), and States that suffered fatalities or serious injuries to their citizens.

Under Annex 13 provisions, a preliminary report on the crash is expected within 30 days, while a final report must be concluded within 12 months.

This framework aims to ensure a thorough and transparent examination of all factors contributing to the tragedy.

ICAO highlighted that the sole objective of Annex 13 investigations is to prevent future accidents by generating valuable safety data and insights.

The process is designed to ensure that all findings are used constructively to improve global aviation safety and security.

The crash of Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243 has once again underscored the importance of stringent adherence to international aviation safety standards.

As the investigation unfolds, ICAO’s supporting role aims to ensure that all potential contributing factors are scrutinised to avoid similar tragedies in the future.