Flight Disappearance & Crash Overview
On July 24, 2025, an Antonov An‑24 operated by Angara Airlines vanished while approaching Tynda Airport in Russia’s Amur region. All 48 individuals onboard—42 passengers including five children and six crew—were confirmed dead after rescuers located burning wreckage in dense forest south of Tynda. 0
Flight Details & Route
The aircraft departed from Blagoveshchensk, near the Russia–China border, en route to Tynda. It reportedly lost radar contact around 1:05 p.m. local time during a second landing attempt after its initial approach was aborted. 1
Wreckage & Rescue Efforts
Emergency teams spotted the burning fuselage via helicopter on a hillside about 15 km south of Tynda. Poor visibility and rugged forest terrain necessitated heavy equipment and foot access. More than 149 personnel and 21 units were deployed. 2
Victim Count Discrepancy
There was initial uncertainty over the number aboard—some reports cited 49 or “nearly 50” people, but officials later confirmed 48 fatalities. 3
Aircraft Background & Age Concerns
The Soviet‑era An‑24 was manufactured in 1976 and had recently passed technical inspection. Angara Airlines, based in Irkutsk, still operates around 10 such aircraft, known colloquially as “flying tractors.” Critics have long warned about risks of aging Soviet designs—nearly 1,340 An‑24s were produced, with only around 75 remaining in service. 4
Investigation & Official Reaction
A criminal investigation was launched under Russian aviation law for suspected safety violations. Poor weather and possible pilot error during the second landing attempt are being examined. President Putin extended condolences and declared a moment of silence at a government meeting. Three days of regional mourning were announced by Governor Vasily Orlov. 5
Key Facts & Timeline
- Date: July 24, 2025
- Aircraft: Antonov An‑24, built in January 1976
- Airline: Angara Airlines (Siberia‑based)
- Route: Blagoveshchensk → Tynda
- Passengers & Crew: 42 passengers (5 children) + 6 crew = 48 fatalities
- Time of radar loss: ~1:05 p.m. local time
- Crash site: ~15 km south of Tynda in dense forest, on hillside
- Rescue operation: 149 specialists, 21 units, difficult terrain
- Possible factors: Weather, pilot error, aging aircraft
Trivia & Quiz Corner
Quiz fans: The Antonov An‑24 was one of the workhorse turboprop airliners of the Soviet era, with nearly 1,340 built from 1959–1979. Despite their age, many remain in service in remote regions due to ruggedness. 6
Trivia tidbit: Tynda—the flight’s destination—is a key junction city on Russia’s Baikal–Amur Mainline (BAM) railway, a flagship Soviet infrastructure project traversing Eastern Siberia.
Source: Zee News