July 24, 2025, Moscow
Russian rescuers have located the wreckage of an Antonov-24 (An-24) passenger plane that went missing earlier in the country’s far eastern region, the Emergencies Ministry confirmed on Thursday. The aircraft, carrying approximately 50 people, was found with its fuselage burning, Local media, including TASS, report that there were no survivors in the crash. Preliminary reports suggest the crash may have been caused by a crew error during landing amid poor visibility.
The plane, whose tail number showed it was built in 1976, was operated by a Siberia-based airline called Angara. It was en route from the city of Blagoveshchensk to Tynda and dropped off radar screens while approaching Tynda, a remote town in the Amur region bordering China
Background:
The plane, operated by Angara Airlines, was en route to Tynda in the Amur region near the Chinese border when it disappeared from radar.
Air traffic controllers lost contact shortly before landing, with reports indicating the aircraft was just a few kilometers from its destination.
Ongoing Investigation:
Authorities have not yet released an official cause, but adverse weather and technical failure remain potential factors. The Emergencies Ministry is coordinating recovery efforts at the crash site.
Additional Inputs for Clarity & Depth:
Aircraft History: The Antonov-24 is a Soviet-era turboprop plane, widely used in regional flights. Aging fleets in Russia have raised safety concerns in the past.
Regional Challenges: Poor weather and limited infrastructure in Russia’s far east complicate search-and-rescue operations.
Global Context: This incident follows recent aviation safety debates in Russia, including calls for modernizing regional aircraft.
Next Steps:
Black box recovery will be critical for determining the exact cause.
The government may face scrutiny over maintenance protocols and pilot training standards.
Why This Matters:
With no survivors, the focus shifts to preventing future tragedies, especially in remote regions where aviation remains a critical transport link.
(Sources: TASS, Interfax, SHOT, Emergencies Ministry)