A passenger plane carrying nearly 50 people crashed in Russia’s far eastern region of Amur, with no immediate signs of survivors. The aircraft, an Antonov-24 operated by Angara Airlines, was headed to the town of Tynda from the city of Blagoveshchensk when it disappeared from radar.
The plane crashed while attempting a second approach to Tynda airport. The circumstances surrounding the crash are being investigated. Regional governor Vassily Orlov reported that there were 43 passengers, including five children, and six crew members on board. However, the Russian emergencies ministry estimated the number to be slightly lower, around 40.
Rescuers are conducting search operations from the air, with a helicopter spotting the burning fuselage of the plane. A ground team has been dispatched to the scene, with 25 people and five units of equipment mobilized. However, the forest terrain has made it difficult for rescuers to reach the site. The wreckage was found on a forested mountain slope about 16 kilometers from Tynda.
The Antonov-24 plane was manufactured almost 50 years ago, with its airworthiness certificate extended until 2036 in 2021. The plane is a Soviet-designed twin-propeller aircraft that first entered service in 1959.
Russian authorities have launched an investigation into the crash, and the cause is yet to be determined. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of aging aircraft, and the investigation will likely focus on determining the factors that contributed to the crash.
