Haunting video from Azerbaijan Airlines Flight J2-8243 showed the pained final moments of those on board before the deadly crash near Aktau in Kazakhstan on Christmas Day.
At least 38 people of the 72 on board were killed when the Embraer 190 jet erupted in a fireball following a chaotic fall from the sky.
The pilot reported losing control after hitting a flock of birds, but analysts have speculated the plane may have accidentally been shot down.
Some dazed and bloodied passengers miraculously emerged from the severed rear of the plane after the crash – and walked off with minor injuries.
Many sat in shock before medical teams rushed them to hospital.
The recovery of their devices shows their forlorn panic as oxygen masks fell and passengers prayed or tried to send their final messages to loved ones, expecting not to step off the plane.
Personal devices give unprecedented insight into the horrific reality of being on a falling plane in ways until now only imitated by Hollywood.
