Russian Plane Crash Kills All 48 Onboard in Far East
A tragic plane crash occurred in Russia's Far East on Thursday, July 24, 2025, killing all 48 people on board. The incident involved an Antonov An-24 passenger aircraft operated by Angara Airlines.
Here's a breakdown of the key information:
Details of the Crash:
Date and Time: The crash occurred on Thursday, July 24, 2025. The plane lost contact with air traffic control around 1:00 PM local time (4:00 AM GMT) during its landing approach.
Aircraft: The crashed plane was an Antonov An-24, a Soviet-era twin-turboprop aircraft. This model, introduced in the 1950s, is known for its ruggedness and is still used for regional flights in remote parts of Russia, despite concerns about its aging technology. The aircraft involved was reportedly almost 50 years old.
Route: The flight was a domestic one, traveling from Khabarovsk to Blagoveshchensk and then onwards to Tynda, a town in the Amur region bordering China. The crash occurred as the plane was attempting to land at Tynda airport.
Casualties: All 48 people on board, including 42 passengers (five children) and six crew members, were killed in the crash. Initial reports had varied slightly on the number of people aboard (some mentioned 49 or 50), but officials later confirmed 48 fatalities.
Crash Site: The burning wreckage of the plane was discovered approximately 15-16 kilometers (9-10 miles) south of Tynda, in a densely forested and mountainous area. Rescue efforts were hampered by the remote location and difficult terrain, with teams reportedly having to cut a path to reach the site.
No Survivors: Aerial inspections by rescue helicopters confirmed there were no signs of survivors at the crash site. Images circulated by state media showed twisted debris and plumes of smoke rising from the forested area.
No Distress Signal: Notably, no distress signal was issued by the crew before the aircraft lost contact and disappeared from radar.
Investigation and Possible Causes:
Investigation Launched: Russian authorities, including the Eastern Interregional Investigative Department for Transport, have launched a criminal case under Article 263 of the Russian Criminal Code, which concerns violations of flight safety rules resulting in multiple deaths.
Preliminary Suspicions: Preliminary assessments and sources from within the aviation sector, cited by state news agency TASS and Interfax, point towards crew error during landing in poor visibility as a likely contributing factor.
Weather Conditions: Reports indicate that there were adverse weather conditions at the time of the crash, including fog and poor visibility, which could have complicated the landing approach.
Multiple Landing Attempts: The transport prosecutor's office revealed that the crew had attempted a second landing at Tynda before communication was lost, suggesting difficulties with the initial approach.
Aging Aircraft Concerns: While the specific cause is under investigation, the incident also reignites concerns about the safety of older Soviet-era aircraft still in operation in Russia, particularly given the challenging environments they often fly in.
Airline Inspection: Angara Airlines, the operator of the ill-fated flight, had reportedly undergone a routine inspection by Rostransnadzor (Russia's aviation regulator) in July 2025, just prior to the crash.
Reactions:
Mourning Declared: Governor Vasily Orlov of the Amur Region declared three days of mourning in the region following the "terrible tragedy."
International Condolences: Leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressed grief and offered condolences to the families of the victims and the people of Russia.
The investigation is ongoing, and officials will be examining flight records, weather data, and technical reports to determine the exact sequence of events that led to this fatal crash.
I'm Aisha shehu
Talksocialtalka News
