Plane carrying 49 crashes in Russia's far east, no signs of survivors

A passenger plane operated by Angara Airlines, an Antonov-24, crashed into a remote mountainside in Russia's far east on Thursday, July 24, 2025. The aircraft, which was carrying 48 people (42 passengers and 6 crew members, including five children), was en route from Blagoveshchensk to Tynda when it disappeared from radar.

Regional governor Vassily Orlov initially reported 49 people on board, though later reports clarified the number to 48. A rescue helicopter subsequently located the burning fuselage of the plane on a mountainside, approximately 16 kilometers (10 miles) from Tynda. From above, the helicopter crew saw no evidence of survivors.

The Amur region's civil defense agency promptly dispatched rescuers to the crash site. The remote and densely forested terrain, however, presented significant challenges for ground access, requiring the use of heavy machinery to clear a path. Rescuers eventually reached the scene by 11:00 PM local time.

Preliminary assessments suggest that the crash may have been caused by crew misjudgment during a landing attempt in poor visibility. The aircraft had reportedly made a missed approach to Tynda airport and was on its second landing attempt when contact was lost. No distress calls were received from the flight crew prior to the incident.

The Antonov An-24, a Soviet-era twin-engine turboprop, is an older aircraft, with the crashed plane having been manufactured in 1976. While considered a reliable workhorse, particularly for regional flights in harsh environments like Siberia and the Far East, concerns about aging aircraft in Russia's fleet have been raised, especially in light of Western sanctions impacting spare parts availability.

An investigation into the crash has been launched by Russian authorities, with both weather conditions and crew decision-making expected to be central to the inquiry. Three days of mourning have been declared in the Amur Oblast for the victims of the crash, and compensation will be provided to the families.