Passenger Plane Crash in Russia’s Far East Kills All 48 on Board

Russia News– July 2025

A passenger plane crash in Russia’s far east has claimed the lives of all 48 people on board, including 42 passengers (five of them children) and six crew members. The crash occurred on July 24, when a Russian Antonov An-24 plane, a Soviet-era aircraft, was preparing to land in the Tynda District.

Details of the Crash

The Antonov An-24, which was operated by Angara airline, crashed into a densely forested area while approaching Tynda, a remote town in Siberia.

Rescue teams had difficulty reaching the crash site due to the challenging terrain, and they had to use heavy machinery to create a path. The burning fuselage of the plane was found, with pale smoke visible from a helicopter.

Investigation and Legal Action

Authorities have opened a criminal case to investigate whether there were violations of air traffic or air transport rules that led to the crash.

The Russian government has formed a commission to determine the cause of the crash. President Vladimir Putin was notified of the incident, and Chinese President Xi Jinping offered condolences, as a Chinese citizen was reportedly on board.

The History of the Antonov An-24

The Antonov An-24 was built in 1976 and was once operated by Aeroflot before the Soviet Union collapsed. The aircraft is known as a reliable workhorse for harsh conditions, especially in Siberia.

However, the rising maintenance costs and the impact of Western sanctions have raised safety concerns about older aircraft like the An-24.

Airline Response and Aircraft Future

The airline Angara, which operates a fleet of 10 An-24s, had previously requested the Russian government to extend the service life of the Antonov aircraft.

However, the Ladoga, a new aircraft model to replace the An-24, will not be in production until 2027. This raises questions about the safety of continuing to use older planes in commercial aviation.

Conclusion

The tragic passenger plane crash in Russia’s far east has raised important safety concerns regarding aging aircraft like the Antonov An-24. The investigation is ongoing, and the Russian government is working with international authorities to uncover the cause of this deadly incident.

The crash also highlights the challenges in maintaining older aircraft due to sanctions and the lack of immediate replacements.

References:

1. Passenger plane crashes in Russia’s far east killing all 48 on board.
2. Russian plane crashes in Russia’s far east, nearly 50 people on board feared dead.
3. 48 people die in a passenger plane crash in Russia’s Far East, officials say.