Plane crash in Russia's distant east claims lives of 48 passengers, authorities confirm
In the early hours of July 24, 2025, a tragic incident took place as an Antonov An-24RV operated by Siberia-based Angara Airlines crashed near Tynda Airport in Russia's Far East. The crash claimed the lives of all 48 people on board, including 42 passengers and 6 crew members.
The cause of the crash is not yet clear, and an investigation has been launched to determine potential flight safety violations. The investigation is being conducted by police and aviation safety authorities.
The aircraft lost contact with ground controllers during its final approach to Tynda Airport in poor visibility, without sending any distress signal or reporting technical issues beforehand. The crash site was found on a hillside south of Tynda, and rescuers struggled to reach the remote location.
The aircraft involved was 49 years old but had recently passed a technical inspection, and its airworthiness certificate was valid until 2036. Rosaviatsia, Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency, noted that the plane had been involved in four incidents since 2018, but the details on how this relates to the crash remain to be clarified.
As of now, no definitive cause has been publicly confirmed. The investigation is ongoing, focusing primarily on reconstructing the final moments of the flight, analyzing technical data, and examining potential safety violations or human factors that could have contributed to the accident.
The authorities have launched a probe on the charge of flight safety violations, and a three-day mourning period was declared by the regional governor to mark the disaster. International sanctions have reportedly squeezed the country's aviation sector, and the impact of these sanctions may have contributed to the frequency of aviation incidents.
Images of the crash site show debris scattered among dense forest and surrounded by plumes of smoke. The number of people onboard the flight was initially reported as 48, but a previous statement from the governor stated that 49 people were onboard. The reason for the discrepancy in passenger numbers is not yet clear.
This crash is one of many aviation incidents that have occurred in Russia, particularly in recent years. The plane was attempting to land for a second time when it lost contact with air traffic control and disappeared from radar. The crash site was found about 16 kilometers from Tynda.
The governor of the Amur region announced three days of mourning to mark the disaster. Adverse weather conditions were reported at the time of the crash, according to unnamed sources in the emergency services. The investigation is a standard procedure in aviation accidents, aiming to ensure flight safety and prevent future incidents.
- The investigation into the cause of the aviation accident in California's Amur region is focusing on rebuilding the final moments of the flight, analyzing technical data, and examining potential safety violations or human factors that could have contributed to the accident.
- A three-day mourning period was declared by the regional governor to mark the disaster that occurred in the industry of transportation, more specifically, aviation.
- The crash of the Antonov An-24RV in Russia's general-news landscape has reignited discussions about the impact of international sanctions on the country's finance, particularly the aviation sector, and whether it may have contributed to the frequent aviation incidents.
- Despite the tragic aviation accident, the authorities have launched a probe on the charge of flight safety violations, emphasizing the need for diligence in the transportation industry to prevent future accidents.
