Air Astana flight makes emergency landing in Aktobe after engine failure
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport is investigating an aviation incident involving an Astana–Frankfurt flight that occurred on May 8, Qazinform News Agency reports.
The ministry said the incident involved an Air Astana Airbus A321, registration number EI-KGJ, operating flight KZR921 from Astana to Frankfurt on May 8, 2026.
The crew declared a PAN-PAN urgency signal after one of the aircraft’s engines failed shortly following departure from Astana Airport, later diverting to Aktobe for landing.
A total of 93 passengers, including four children and one infant, were on board together with nine crew members.
The aircraft made a safe landing at Aktobe Airport at 11:34 a.m. local time. According to the ministry, the crew followed standard QRH procedures, after which the plane taxied to the parking stand under its own power. Emergency rescue and airport ground services were mobilized as a precautionary measure.
The incident was attributed to a technical malfunction of the aircraft’s powerplant, though no injuries or damage to the aircraft have been reported so far.
In accordance with Kazakhstan’s regulations on reporting and investigating aviation accidents and incidents, approved by Order No. 505 of the Minister for Investment and Development dated July 27, 2017, the occurrence has been classified as a serious incident and is subject to investigation by the Ministry of Transport’s Department for the Investigation of Transport Accidents and Incidents.
A department representative is expected to travel to the site to conduct initial procedures and gather information related to the incident.
Earlier, Qazinform News Agency reported that a Swiss International Air Lines flight traveling from Seoul to Zurich was forced to make an emergency landing in Almaty after a crew member experienced a medical emergency during the flight.