Russian Plane Carrying 50 People Crashes in Amur Region, All Feared Dead
In a tragic aviation incident, a Russian Antonov-24 aircraft carrying 50 people—including five children and six crew members—has gone missing and is now believed to have crashed near Tynda in the Amur region of eastern Russia. The aircraft was operated by Angara Airlines, which is based in Siberia.
According to the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, the plane disappeared from radar just a few kilometers from its scheduled landing at Tynda Airport. The aircraft failed to check in at a designated communication point, prompting a large-scale search and rescue operation. Hours later, emergency response teams located the wreckage of the aircraft’s fuselage.
Initial reports from the Russian state news agency TASS suggest that all on board are feared dead. The crash site is located in a remote, forested area near the Russian-Chinese border, complicating rescue and recovery efforts.
Vasily Orlov, the Governor of the Amur Region, confirmed via Telegram that 43 passengers—including five children—and six crew members were aboard the flight. “All necessary forces and resources have been deployed for the search and rescue operations,” Orlov stated.
The ill-fated flight was approaching its final destination when the radar connection was lost, indicating that the crash occurred during the final stages of landing. Sources suggest the aircraft was only a few kilometers from the runway.
Angara Airlines, which has been operating in the Siberian region for years, has yet to release an official statement. The airline primarily serves hard-to-reach destinations in remote areas of Russia.
The Antonov-24, a twin turboprop aircraft designed in the Soviet era, is known for its rugged design, which is suited for challenging terrains. However, concerns regarding operational safety have been raised due to aging fleets and difficult weather conditions in these regions.
Russian aviation authorities are expected to launch a full-scale investigation into the crash, examining factors such as mechanical failure, weather conditions, and pilot error.
This tragic incident further highlights the concerns surrounding regional aviation safety in Russia and has sparked widespread grief and concern. Updates on the ongoing rescue and recovery efforts are awaited.
