**An Antonov An-24 aircraft crashed while approaching Tynda Airport, sparking investigations into potential causes including technical failure and pilot error.**
**Tragic Plane Crash Claims 48 Lives in Russia's Far East**
**Tragic Plane Crash Claims 48 Lives in Russia's Far East**
**A devastating incident involving an Angara Airlines plane has left no survivors among the 48 individuals on board.**
The tragedy unfolded in the Amur region of Russia when an Angara Airlines Antonov An-24 aircraft, carrying 42 passengers and six crew members, crashed into a dense forest approximately 16 km from Tynda Airport. Officials confirmed that all 48 people aboard were killed, including five children, prompting regional governor Vasily Orlov to declare a three-day mourning period.
The plane took off from Blagoveshchensk, near the Chinese border, and vanished from radar as it neared its destination. A Russian civil aviation helicopter later located the burning wreckage on a remote hillside, indicating the challenging terrain that hindered rescue efforts. Rescuers faced delays because of the area’s swampy conditions, taking about an hour to reach the site.
Preliminary investigations are considering various factors for the crash, with early analysis focusing on potential pilot error during adverse weather conditions or technical malfunction. At the time of the accident, poor visibility with low cloud cover had already caused the aircraft to abandon a first landing attempt. Radar contact was lost as the crew prepared for a second attempt.
Angara Airlines is based in Siberia’s Irkutsk region, where the crew was also stationed. Many passengers were reportedly employees of Russian Railways operating in the far eastern region. The aircraft, nearly 50 years old and designed in Kyiv during the Soviet era, had recently passed a technical inspection; however, it had been involved in multiple incidents over the past five years, raising questions about its safety record.
Notably, the Antonov An-24 has a history of incidents. In addition to the current tragedy, other models have experienced dangerous situations, including a 2019 crash in Nizhneangarsk that resulted in the deaths of two crew members and a 2011 incident where an An-24 crashed into the Ob River, killing seven.
Following the 2011 crash, former President Dmitry Medvedev had called for grounding remaining An-24 aircraft in service in Russia, emphasizing ongoing concerns about their safety. The current situation has reignited discussions regarding the aviation standards and evaluations of older aircraft in use within the country.
The plane took off from Blagoveshchensk, near the Chinese border, and vanished from radar as it neared its destination. A Russian civil aviation helicopter later located the burning wreckage on a remote hillside, indicating the challenging terrain that hindered rescue efforts. Rescuers faced delays because of the area’s swampy conditions, taking about an hour to reach the site.
Preliminary investigations are considering various factors for the crash, with early analysis focusing on potential pilot error during adverse weather conditions or technical malfunction. At the time of the accident, poor visibility with low cloud cover had already caused the aircraft to abandon a first landing attempt. Radar contact was lost as the crew prepared for a second attempt.
Angara Airlines is based in Siberia’s Irkutsk region, where the crew was also stationed. Many passengers were reportedly employees of Russian Railways operating in the far eastern region. The aircraft, nearly 50 years old and designed in Kyiv during the Soviet era, had recently passed a technical inspection; however, it had been involved in multiple incidents over the past five years, raising questions about its safety record.
Notably, the Antonov An-24 has a history of incidents. In addition to the current tragedy, other models have experienced dangerous situations, including a 2019 crash in Nizhneangarsk that resulted in the deaths of two crew members and a 2011 incident where an An-24 crashed into the Ob River, killing seven.
Following the 2011 crash, former President Dmitry Medvedev had called for grounding remaining An-24 aircraft in service in Russia, emphasizing ongoing concerns about their safety. The current situation has reignited discussions regarding the aviation standards and evaluations of older aircraft in use within the country.
