Following the crash of the An-24, the airline has been barred by the Russian aviation company from maintaining the aircraft.
In a tragic turn of events, an An-24 aircraft operated by Angara Airlines crashed on July 24, 2025, in the Amur region of Russia. The aircraft, which was flying the route from Khabarovsk to Blagoveshchensk to Tynda, disappeared from radar and lost contact near Tynda airport during its second approach for landing.
The An-24, a turboprop passenger aircraft designed by the Soviet Union, has a notoriously poor safety record. With over 159 accidents and more than 2,100 fatalities documented since its introduction in the late 1950s, the airframe design is robust yet faces significant airworthiness and modernization concerns due to its age. Many An-24 aircraft still in operational service are now 40 to 60 years old.
The crash of the An-24 operated by Angara Airlines underscores the ongoing safety concerns associated with this aircraft type. The aircraft did not signal any potential problems in the air, according to emergency services. However, key issues affecting safety and modernization include aging structure and metal fatigue, obsolete avionics and systems, sanctions impact, operation in harsh conditions, and limited investment in modernization efforts.
The old age of the airframes makes them vulnerable to structural failures and systems degradation, increasing risk. Many An-24s remain with outdated navigation and safety equipment, which compromises operational safety in difficult conditions like poor weather or remote locations with limited radar coverage. Western sanctions on Russia have restricted access to spare parts and maintenance support, exacerbating challenges in keeping the aircraft safe and airworthy.
The An-24 is often used in demanding environments such as Siberia or the Russian Far East with extreme weather and limited infrastructure, which strain the aircraft and crew and increase accident risk. Angara Airlines, based in Irkutsk, has been operating regional flights with the An-24, but following the crash, Rosaviation has revoked their certificate for aircraft and component maintenance. Angara is now only permitted to use the services of external certified organizations for such maintenance.
The revocation of Angara's certificate was due to control inspections conducted after the crash in the Amur region. The company had previously held a certificate from Rosaviation that allowed its employees to perform aircraft and component maintenance. Despite certain modifications, the An-24 aircraft, despite its service since the late 1960s, continues to face significant airworthiness issues, making it accident-prone in current service.
Experts have repeatedly emphasized the need to modernize or retire these aircraft due to wear and tear and the challenges of maintaining airworthiness. The An-24 has been a workhorse in regions such as Russia, Central Asia, and Africa, but its legacy safety record and ongoing maintenance challenges highlight the urgent need for modernization or retirement of these aircraft to ensure passenger safety.
The crash of the An-24 operated by Angara Airlines underscores the ongoing safety concerns in the aviation industry, especially with regard to this outdated aircraft type. Financial institutions should consider the risks associated with investing in airlines that continue to rely on obsolete aircraft like the An-24, as their age and lack of modernization can lead to significant future losses in the news sector. Additionally, the transportation industry must address the need for updates and improvements in infrastructure and maintenance practices, particularly in regions such as Siberia and the Russian Far East, where harsh conditions and limited resources can compromise safety.
