Rishita Gangrade
July 24, 2025 – A Russian passenger aircraft, an Antonov An‑24 turboprop operated by Angara Airlines, vanished from radar today during its second approach to Tynda Airport in the Amur region of Russia’s Far East. The plane, which had taken off from Blagoveshchensk, was carrying approximately 49–50 people—43 passengers (including five children) and six crew members—according to regional officials.
Timeline & Discovery of Wreckage
- Contact with air traffic control was lost around 1 p.m. local time, as the aircraft performed a go-around following an aborted first landing attempt.
- A Rossaviatsiya Mi‑8 helicopter located a burning fuselage on a mountainside roughly 15 km (about 9 miles) from Tynda Airport.
- Emergency responders have described the site as remote and inaccessible by road, requiring ground teams to trek in.
Casualties & Condition of Wreckage
- Aerial surveys indicate there were likely no survivors, with thick smoke seen emanating from the wreck site.
- Reports vary slightly on passenger counts—some Russian agencies cited 40–50 individuals on board.
Aircraft Details & Possible Cause
- The An‑24 was manufactured in 1976, making it nearly 50 years old, and was one of the many Soviet-era planes still in use in Russia’s remote Far East.
- Weather conditions were reportedly poor at the time, and initial assessments by Tass suggest possible crew error during landing in low visibility.
Ongoing Response & Investigation
- The Amur regional governor, Vasily Orlov, confirmed deployment of all available search and rescue assets, including helicopters and ground teams.
- Russian prosecution authorities and the Investigative Committee have launched formal probes into the crash.
- The Interstate Aviation Committee and Transport Authority are reviewing the incident. President Putin has reportedly been informed.
Background: Aging Fleet & Regional Risks
This tragedy underscores navigational dangers in Russia’s vast and often treacherous eastern landscapes. The An‑24, a durable Soviet-era turboprop originally designed in the late 1950s, is widely used for regional flights in areas lacking significant infrastructure.
Despite improvements in overall aviation safety, reliance on decades-old aircraft and intermittent maintenance—amplified by sanctions and limited access to parts—have previously contributed to incidents in remote Russian regions.
What’s Next
- A ground rescue operation is still under way to recover remains and secure any flight recorders.
- Investigators will analyze weather data, ATC communications, and the black box recordings to determine the crash root cause.
- Findings may prompt reviews of safety protocols, aircraft age limits, and approach procedures in low-visibility situations.
A decades-old Antonov An‑24 carrying nearly 50 people crashed today near Tynda under poor weather conditions, likely after a landing mishap. The entire passenger and crew complement is feared dead. Russian authorities have responded with emergency operations and launched multiple investigations. This tragic incident highlights continued concerns around aviation safety in remote regions where aging aircraft and extreme environments intersect.
Source:-
- Reported by Reuters
- Reported by The Washington Post
- Reported by the Economic Times (via TASS)