The Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan (AAK) initiated an investigation of the incident that involved on SCAT Airlines flight en route from Atyrau Airport (GUW) to Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport (NQZ), Kazakhstan.

On November 12, 2020, the press office of the Civil Aviation Committee of the AAK announced that the authority and the technical staff of SCAT Airlines started the investigation to clarify the circumstances of the incident during which the airline’s Boeing 737 collided with a flock of birds.

“In accordance with the aviation legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the investigation will reveal the reasons and circumstances,” reported the press office of the Civil Aviation Committee.

The incident occurred in the late hours of November 10, 2020. SCAT Boeing 737-500, registered as UP-B3723, was operating a regular flight DV-766 on a route GUW-NQZ. The initial report showed that the aircraft was climbing out of Atyrau Airport when it flew through a flock of ducks or geese and suffered multiple bird strikes.

According to the report made by the AAK, one of the jet engines sucked up several birds and soon after it began to disseminate unusual sound. The flight crew decided to redirect the jet with 115 onboard to the airport of departure (GUW). The flight record data found on Planespotters.com showed that SCAT’s Boeing 737 landed safely at Atyrau Airport in 14 minutes after takeoff.

On November 10, 2020, speaking to local media the spokesman of SCAT said that the commander of the aircraft would be awarded for successful landing performance.

“Thanks to the high professionalism of the aircraft commander Ivan Karpovich, as well as the well-coordinated work of the entire crew, the landing of the aircraft, which collided with a flock of large birds, proceeded normally. SCAT plans to nominate the pilot for a medal,“ said the spokesman of SCAT Airlines.

The video found on Youtube.com, recorded onboard the plane on the day of the accident, showing passengers fearing an aircraft crash.