President Vladimir Putin expressed condolences to the victims’ families, while aviation authorities launched a probe into the deadly incident.
BY PC Bureau
July 24, 2025 — A devastating air tragedy unfolded in Russia’s remote Far East on Thursday as an Antonov An-24 operated by Angara Airlines crashed near the town of Tynda in the Amur region, killing all 49 people on board — including five children and six crew members.
The Soviet-era aircraft, nearly 50 years old, disappeared from radar during a landing attempt at the small regional airport. Hours later, rescuers located the burning wreckage on a forested mountainside, confirming there were no survivors. The crash is among the deadliest aviation disasters in Russia this year.
A Routine Flight Ends in Disaster
The twin-engine turboprop was flying a routine regional route from Khabarovsk to Tynda via Blagoveshchensk. It took off at 7:36 a.m. local time with 43 onboard, according to Amur Governor Vasily Orlov, though some reports cited a slightly lower count.
The plane reportedly made a go-around after an aborted landing attempt, likely due to poor visibility or weather. Contact was lost at 1:00 p.m. local time — just a few kilometers from its destination. Air traffic controllers failed to re-establish communication, and radar contact was severed.
A Mi-8 helicopter dispatched by Russia’s civil aviation authority (Rosaviatsiya) spotted the wreckage engulfed in flames about 16 kilometers from Tynda. Social media videos, said to be from the rescue team, showed the fuselage blazing in a dense forest. “No survivors were spotted,” confirmed the regional emergency response unit after an aerial survey.
Rescue Hampered by Terrain and Fire
Emergency teams were quickly mobilized — 25 personnel, five ground units, and four aircraft were put on standby. However, the rugged terrain of the Amur region — marked by swamps, forests, and scant road access — hampered efforts.
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Governor Orlov stated: “All necessary forces and means have been deployed,” but acknowledged the remote location and fire severely delayed ground access.
The Ministry of Emergency Situations (EMERCOM) has launched a hotline for families, and investigators from the Far Eastern Transport Prosecutor’s Office have opened a probe.
Another Plane Crashed just in the close connection of Mars and Ketu on Thursday exactly around 26 degree.
A #Russian passenger #plane, an Antonov An-24, crashed in Russia’s far east on Thursday, carrying around 50 people, including 43 passengers and 6 crew members. The plane was… https://t.co/8m60HgTz85 pic.twitter.com/g1RTrIzErT
— Rocky Jamwal (@jamwal_rocky) July 24, 2025
Preliminary Blame: Crew Error, Old Aircraft
Russia’s state news agency TASS, citing emergency sources, suggested that pilot error during the landing phase may have caused the crash. Weather conditions, including thick fog and rain, may have compounded the difficulty.
The aircraft, built in 1976, has reignited debate over Russia’s continued use of aging Soviet-era planes — especially in isolated regions where modern alternatives are scarce due to Western sanctions.
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The Antonov An-24 was once a workhorse of Soviet aviation. Though designed for tough environments, experts warn of its limitations. “With Boeing and Airbus planes grounded or inaccessible, Russia has turned back to decades-old aircraft — and we are seeing the consequences,” one aviation analyst wrote on X.
A History of Crashes in the Far East
The Amur region, bordering China’s Heilongjiang province, has long been prone to aviation accidents. Just last year, in September 2024, a Robinson R66 helicopter disappeared in the same region. That flight, reportedly unregistered, ended in tragedy.
Russia’s aviation sector, especially in remote areas, continues to face criticism despite regulatory improvements. The crash of the An-24 echoes other fatal incidents, including:
- 2021: An Antonov An-26 crash in Kamchatka killed all 28 on board.
- 2013: A Boeing 737 crash in Kazan claimed 50 lives.
The persistence of outdated aircraft, insufficient maintenance, and weather-related hazards all remain critical concerns.
A Deadly Year for Aviation Worldwide
The Amur crash joins a grim list of fatal aviation disasters in 2025:
- June: An Air India Dreamliner crashed in Ahmedabad, killing 269 people, including 28 on the ground.
- December 2024: An Azerbaijan Airlines jet went down near Aktau, Kazakhstan, with 38 fatalities. The cause remains disputed, with some reports citing Russian military activity.
These incidents have made 2025 one of the deadliest years for global aviation in decades.
Spotlight on Angara Airlines and Regional Carriers
Angara Airlines, a small Siberian operator based in Irkutsk, runs mostly regional routes in Russia’s Far East and Siberia. The carrier has not yet issued a public statement, but aviation observers say this crash adds to growing concerns over the safety of regional operators relying on outdated fleets.
Sanctions and parts shortages have made it nearly impossible for Russian carriers to maintain Western aircraft, forcing a reliance on aging Soviet designs. With limited funds for upgrades and challenging environments, these regional routes remain among the most dangerous in the country.
Experts say a multi-pronged effort — including better maintenance, newer aircraft, and enhanced pilot training — is urgently needed.
Grief and Anguish Across Russia
The loss of 43 lives — including entire families and young children — has left communities across Russia in mourning. Authorities have warned that DNA identification may be necessary, given the intensity of the fire.
The Kremlin issued a brief statement expressing condolences, and flags have been lowered at several government buildings. Social media is filled with tributes, anger, and demands for accountability.
As rescue teams continue to recover remains, attention now turns to the investigation and the deeper systemic issues that made this tragedy possible.
A Tragic Reminder
This crash stands as a stark reminder of the fragility of air travel in Russia’s remote regions. The combination of old aircraft, extreme weather, and limited infrastructure creates a volatile mix — one that has, yet again, claimed innocent lives.
