(Scypre.com) – All 48 people aboard a Russian passenger plane were killed Thursday when the aircraft crashed near Tynda in the country’s remote Far East. The Antonov An‑24, a Soviet-era turboprop built in 1976, was operated by Angara Airlines and was en route from Blagoveshchensk after a scheduled stop in Khabarovsk. The plane disappeared from radar during its second landing attempt and was later found engulfed in flames in a forested area about 15 kilometers south of Tynda Airport.
Emergency responders reached the site after hours of battling rugged terrain and poor weather. Aerial footage showed the smoldering wreckage scattered on a steep hillside, with no survivors. The passengers included five children, and officials confirmed that all 42 passengers and six crew members perished. Governor Vasily Orlov of Amur Region declared a three-day mourning period and confirmed that the flight had passed its last technical inspection.
Authorities have launched a criminal investigation into potential air safety violations. Initial reports suggest the aircraft may have descended too quickly in low visibility. The crash brings renewed scrutiny to Russia’s aging regional fleet, many of which continue to fly under special extensions amid sanctions that limit access to modern replacements and spare parts. The An‑24, once a workhorse in cold climates, has faced multiple incidents over the years, and this tragedy may finally force a reassessment of its continued use.