Aircraft disaster in eastern Russia leaves no passengers alive
The skies over Russia's far east were shrouded in tragedy on July 24, 2025, as an aging Antonov An-24 aircraft, registered RA-47315, came crashing down near Tynda Airport in Amur Oblast, Siberia. The plane, operated by Angara Airlines, was on its way from Blagoveshchensk and had 48 passengers and crew members on board.
The 49-year-old An-24RV, built in 1976, vanished from radar during its second approach to Tynda in poor weather conditions. Despite the plane's age, it had recently passed a technical inspection and had its airworthiness certificate renewed in 2021, valid until 2036.
The crash site was initially difficult to access due to challenging terrain and bad weather. The burning fuselage of the plane was eventually found on a hillside south of Tynda, approximately 15 kilometers (9 miles) from its intended destination.
Regrettably, there were no survivors. The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation by Russian authorities. Factors under consideration include poor visibility and potentially difficult weather conditions during the landing attempt. There is speculation about pilot error and regional concerns such as alcohol use among pilots, but these remain unconfirmed and speculative until the formal investigation concludes.
The crash has raised concerns about the safety of aging aircraft in Russia's aviation sector, which has faced growing problems due to Western sanctions over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Russian prosecutors have launched an investigation into the Siberia-based airline running the flight.
In the wake of the tragedy, China's President Xi Jinping has conveyed his condolences to Putin and the families of the crash victims. It was confirmed that at least one Chinese citizen was on board the ill-fated flight.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has been notified of the crash. The regional governor, Vasily Orlov, sent his condolences to the families of the crash victims and declared three days of mourning. The Emergency Situations Ministry reported that the crew did not report any problems prior to the crash.
The plane had been inspected before takeoff without any shortcomings detected. The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, and the public awaits the official report with bated breath.
- The crash involving the Angara Airlines plane, registered RA-47315, has sparked concerns about the safety of aging aircraft in Russia's aviation industry.
- The government is investigating the cause of the crash, considering factors such as poor visibility, weather conditions, and potential pilot error.
- In addition to Russian authorities, the media industry is closely following the investigation into the Siberia-based airline operating the flight.
- General-news channels are reporting that at least one Chinese citizen was on board the crashed aircraft, leading to calls for cooperation between China and Russia in the investigation.
- The transportation sector, including aviation and finance, might face potential repercussions if the investigation reveals systemic issues within Russia's aviation industry.
