In a tragic aviation disaster, a twin-turboprop aircraft carrying nearly 50 people crashed in Russia’s far eastern Amur region, close to the border with China. The plane, an ageing An-24 operated by Angara Airlines, went down during a second attempt to land at Tynda airport. Authorities believe that pilot error may have led to the fatal crash.

The aircraft had initially failed its first landing attempt and disappeared from radar during its second approach. Emergency teams soon discovered the burning remains of the plane in a mountainous, forested area roughly 16 kilometers from the airport.

No Survivours Found; Emergency Efforts Underway

According to the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, helicopters sent to locate the aircraft spotted the wreckage ablaze on a slope. “During the search operations, the Mi-8 helicopter of the Federal Air Transport Agency discovered the fuselage of the plane, which is on fire. Rescuers continue to proceed to the scene of the incident,” said the ministry in a statement.

Governor Vasily Orlov confirmed via Telegram: “According to preliminary data, there were 43 passengers on board, including five children, along with six crew members. All necessary forces and resources have been deployed to search for the plane.”

However, official passenger counts varied slightly, with some sources citing up to 49 people on board. No survivours have been reported.

Flight Details and Mechanical History

The flight originated in Khabarovsk and made a scheduled stop in Blagoveshchensk before heading to its final destination, Tynda. Reports indicate the aircraft passed a technical check during its stopover and was deemed airworthy at the time.

Despite that, the An-24 model is known for its age — the crashed plane was built in 1976. Although its airworthiness certificate had recently been extended until 2036, Russian aviation safety has faced increasing scrutiny, especially in remote regions where such aircraft remain in use.

The Russian Transport Investigative Committee stated that both mechanical failure and human error are being examined as possible causes.

Harsh Terrain and Emotional Fallout

The terrain surrounding Tynda poses serious challenges for search and rescue efforts. With dense forest and poor weather conditions at the time of the crash, helicopters were initially unable to land. Rescue crews began trekking toward the wreckage on foot, taking more than an hour to reach the crash site.

Russian media outlets shared harrowing footage of the crash aftermath, with smouldering debris spread across a wooded mountainside. Another clip showed the aircraft flying low in light rain before vanishing from view.

Among the victims were several prominent individuals, including 71-year-old thoracic surgeon Dr. Leonid Maizel and a family of local doctors traveling with their 14-year-old grandson. Other victims included a schoolteacher, a chemical technology expert, and a flight attendant who was a mother of two.

One woman, Marina Avalyan of Tynda, escaped the tragedy at the last minute after her granddaughter fell ill. “My granddaughter saved me,” she said, noting that her name remained on the passenger list despite not boarding the flight.

Broader Aviation Concerns in Russia

This crash marks Russia’s first fatal commercial aviation incident since 2021. However, recent years have seen an uptick in technical faults aboard domestic aircraft, partly due to Western sanctions that have disrupted the import of spare parts and modern equipment.

With the domestic fleet aging and Western models like Boeing and Airbus now harder to maintain, regional airlines have increasingly relied on Soviet-era planes like the An-24 — some of which have a history of past malfunctions.

An official investigation is underway, with flight data and cockpit voice recorders expected to provide clarity on what caused the fatal descent. A hotline for relatives has been established, and Russian President Vladimir Putin has been briefed on the incident.