49 people are killed in a tragic plane crash near Tynda, Russia, raising safety concerns.
On July 24, 2025, all 49 occupants of an Antonov An-24 flown by Siberia-based Angara Airlines perished in a catastrophic plane crash close to Tynda in Russia’s Far East. When the Soviet-era turboprop disappeared from radar during a second landing attempt in low visibility, it was carrying six crew members and forty-three passengers, including five children, from Blagoveshchensk to Tynda. Governor Vasily Orlov declared a three-day period of mourning in the Amur region after the burning wreckage was discovered on a forested hillside 15 kilometers south of Tynda. No survivors were reported.
The plane, a model that is almost 50 years old, ignited upon impact, and preliminary investigations suggest that pilot error and unfavorable weather conditions are the probable causes. A criminal investigation into flight safety violations has been started by Russia’s Investigative Committee, with an emphasis on Angara Airlines’ operations and aircraft maintenance. Concerns regarding the safety of aging aircraft were raised when the airline was subjected to a disciplinary hearing for maintenance violations on the day of the crash. Widely used for regional flights, the An-24 has a history of safety issues that have been made worse by Western sanctions that have restricted access to spare parts since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The tricky isolated terrain hindered rescue efforts, and more than 100 responders had to utilize heavy equipment to reach the scene. The location of the wreckage was verified by aerial inspections conducted by a Mi-8 helicopter, which captured images of thick smoke rising from dense forests. The crash has raised concerns about regional carriers and their use of antiquated aircraft since it was Russia’s first fatal passenger aviation incident since July 2021. Public sadness was reflected in social media , where unconfirmed videos of the crash site went viral.
The catastrophe highlights more significant issues facing Russia’s aviation industry, such as poor maintenance and financial strains brought on by sanctions. There are still unanswered questions about whether more stringent oversight could avert catastrophes in the future. Will systemic problems in Russia’s remote airways continue, or will this incident trigger reforms?
