Deadly Descent: Russian Passenger Jet Crashes, All 49 Killed

In one of the deadliest air disasters in recent Russian history, an Angara Airlines Antonov An-24RV passenger plane crashed near the city of Tynda in the Far Eastern Amur region on Thursday, killing all 49 people on board.

 

Crash Details and Search Operation

The aircraft was on its second approach to Tynda Airport when it lost contact with air traffic control. According to reports, the plane vanished from radar shortly after 9 a.m. local time, sparking a massive search and rescue operation. The Russian Emergencies Ministry deployed a Mi-8 helicopter to search the mountainous terrain.

 

Eventually, the burning wreckage was discovered approximately 15 to 16 kilometers from the airport, scattered across a forested slope. The fuselage was engulfed in flames upon discovery. Emergency responders confirmed that none of the 49 occupants—43 passengers, including five children, and six crew members—had survived the crash.

 

Final Approach and Possible Cause

Early investigations suggest that the aircraft went down while attempting to land in difficult weather conditions. According to preliminary data from Russian authorities and aviation sources, the plane may have encountered visibility issues during its final approach. Crew error in poor weather is being considered a potential cause.

 

Russian news agencies cited sources indicating that the aircraft did not report any technical issues prior to departure. The aircraft was performing a domestic flight from Blagoveshchensk to Tynda when the incident occurred. Officials from Russia’s aviation and emergency agencies are continuing the investigation.

 

 

Aircraft Condition and Airline Background

The aircraft involved was an Antonov An-24RV, part of the aging Soviet-era fleet still in use by some regional Russian airlines. Angara Airlines, based in Irkutsk, operates several such aircraft and has faced safety concerns in the past. Although the airline has not reported any major fatal crashes recently, incidents involving the An-24 have occurred in earlier years.

 

This particular aircraft was nearly 50 years old, raising fresh questions about the safety of aging planes operating in remote and challenging regions of Russia. However, the airline stated that the aircraft had undergone routine checks and was cleared for flight.

 

Response and Reactions

Local authorities, including Amur region governor Vasily Orlov, confirmed the fatalities and expressed condolences to the families. Russian federal agencies have pledged full support for recovery and investigation efforts. The recovery of the black boxes is underway and expected to shed light on the aircraft’s final moments.

 

Videos and images released by emergency services show scorched wreckage and burned trees surrounding the crash site. The devastation has sparked national mourning and calls for a deeper review of Russia’s regional aviation infrastructure.

 

 

For any enquiries or information, contact info@thelawreporters.com or call us on +971 52 644 3004. Follow  The Law Reporters on WhatsApp Channels