A Russian Antonov-24 plane with 49 on board crashed near Tynda in the Amur region. Rescue teams find burning wreckage; no survivors spotted.
Far East Russia — July 24, 2025:
A twin-propeller Antonov-24 aircraft operated by Angara Airlines tragically crashed in Russia’s far eastern Amur region today while en route from Blagoveshchensk to Tynda, carrying 43 passengers and six crew on board.
The plane disappeared from radar around 1 p.m. local time (0400 GMT), shortly after attempting a second landing approach to Tynda Airport, according to the Far Eastern Transport Prosecutor’s Office.
Wreckage Found in Dense Forest, No Signs of Survivors
A rescue helicopter located the burning fuselage of the aircraft on a remote, forested mountain slope approximately 16 km from Tynda.
Dramatic video footage released by Russian investigators showed thick columns of smoke rising from the wreckage.
“The main search operations are being conducted from the air due to the challenging forest terrain,” a rescuer told state news agency TASS.
So far, no signs of survivors have been found, according to local rescue teams. Authorities are deploying 25 personnel and five rescue units, with four aircraft on standby for aerial support.
Crash During Second Landing Attempt
According to preliminary reports, the Antonov-24 was attempting a second approach when radar contact was lost.
“While approaching Tynda Airport, the aircraft went around for a second landing, after which contact was lost,” prosecutors said.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, and Angara Airlines has yet to issue an official statement.
Among the Victims: Five Children
The Governor of the Amur region, Vassily Orlov, confirmed that five children were among the passengers. Conflicting reports from emergency agencies cite between 40 to 43 passengers onboard, with six crew members.
Ageing Aircraft: A 50-Year-Old Plane Still in Use
The crashed Antonov-24 was reportedly manufactured nearly five decades ago, with its airworthiness certificate extended until 2036, according to aviation sources quoted by TASS.
The Antonov-24, a Soviet-era model that entered service in 1959, remains widely used in Russia’s remote regions, despite the country’s efforts to modernize its civil aviation fleet. These ageing aircraft are often employed by smaller regional carriers like Angara Airlines, based in Irkutsk, due to affordability and terrain compatibility.
Ongoing Investigation
Russian transport authorities have launched a formal investigation into the crash, focusing on possible technical failure, pilot error, or environmental factors.
As rescue teams continue working under difficult conditions, the crash highlights long-standing concerns about the safety and modernity of aircraft operating in Russia’s remote regions.
