Plane crashes in eastern Russia with no known survivors.
The tragic crash of an Antonov An-24 aircraft, operated by Angara Airlines, has claimed the lives of all 48 people on board, including children and a Chinese national. The plane disappeared from radar during its second attempt to land in poor visibility near Tynda Airport in Amur Oblast, Russia, on July 24, 2025.
The aircraft, built in 1976, had a chequered history, having been involved in four incidents since 2018. However, the cause of this latest crash remains undetermined. The plane had passed a recent technical inspection, and its airworthiness certificate was valid until 2036.
Investigators have recovered the flight data recorders (black boxes) and sent them to Moscow for analysis. The crash site, located on a forested mountain slope about 15-16 kilometers from Tynda Airport, has complicated rescue efforts.
The crash has raised questions about the safety and viability of continuing to operate such aging Soviet-era planes in remote Russian regions. The aircraft's age, combined with the challenges faced by Russia's aviation sector due to Western sanctions, might have contributed to the incident.
The regional governor initially reported 49 deaths, but the Russian federal government later confirmed 48. The discrepancy in the death toll is unclear. The crash site was found on a hillside south of Tynda, about 15 kilometers from its intended destination.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has been notified of the crash, and China's President Xi Jinping has conveyed his "deep condolences" to Putin and the families of the crash victims. The investigation into the Siberia-based airline running the flight has been launched by Russian prosecutors.
The plane began its flight in Khabarovsk before stopping over at Blagoveshchensk. The crew did not report any problems prior to the crash. The investigation into both mechanical and human factors is ongoing, awaiting flight recorder analysis for conclusive findings.
- The media has been reporting on the tragedy of an Antonov An-24 aircraft operated by Angara Airlines, which claimed the lives of 48 individuals, including children and a Chinese national.
- The government has launched an investigation into the Siberia-based airline responsible for the flight, following the crash of the aged Soviet-era plane near Tynda Airport in Amur Oblast.
- Financiers and executives within the aviation industry have expressed concern over the safety and viability of continuing to operate antiquated aircraft in remote Russian regions, citing the case of the crashed Antonov An-24.
- The news of this accident, coupled with the challenges faced by Russia's aviation sector due to Western sanctions, has raised questions about the future of transportation in Russia and its international relations.
- Crime-and-justice experts are examining the possibility of human error or negligence in the context of the investigation into the unfortunate crash that took place on July 24, 2025, approximately 15 kilometers from Tynda Airport.
