Antonov An-24 passenger plane crashes near Tynda, Russia, killing 48
An Antonov An‑24 passenger aircraft operated by Angara Airlines crashed near Tynda in Russia’s Far East at around 13:00 local time (LT) on July 24, 2025, killing all 48 people onboard. The aircraft disappeared from radar during its second landing attempt in low-visibility conditions. The wreckage was located 16 km (10 miles) from the airport, in remote mountainous terrain.
Image credit: Investigative Committee of Russia
An Antonov An‑24 aircraft operated by Angara Airlines crashed on approach to Tynda Airport in Russia’s Amur region at approximately 13:00 LT on July 24, killing all 48 occupants, including six crew members and five children.
Earlier reports briefly cited 49 aboard; however, Russian Emergency Situations Ministry later confirmed the toll as 48.
The aircraft had departed from Ignatyevo Airport near Khabarovsk, made a scheduled stop in Blagoveshchensk, and was on final approach to Tynda when it disappeared from radar during a second landing attempt. No distress call was issued.
According to SHOT news agency and the regional transport prosecutor’s office, the plane was just a few kilometers from the airport when it lost contact.
The burning fuselage was located approximately 16 km (10 miles) south of Tynda by a Mi‑8 helicopter belonging to Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency. The helicopter crew reported no signs of survivors.
Emergency footage released by the Emergency Situations Ministry showed smoke rising from the crash site, a steep, forested slope typical of the area’s terrain.
According to the director of Tynda Airport, the aircraft caught fire during descent, and authorities cited poor visibility and low cloud cover as contributing conditions.
The Interfax and TASS news agencies, quoting civil defense sources, described difficult weather at the time of approach. One emergency official said the clouds were scattered around 210 m (700 feet) and broken around 600 m (2 000 feet).
Governor Vasily Orlov of the Amur region declared a three-day mourning period. “This terrible tragedy has claimed the lives of 48 people. The entire region grieves with you,” Orlov said.
An investigation has been launched by Russia’s Investigative Committee into possible violations of aviation safety regulations. Forensic and aviation specialists have been deployed to retrieve and analyze the flight data and cockpit voice recorders.
The aircraft was built in 1976. Despite its age, it had a renewed airworthiness certificate issued in 2021, valid through 2036.
The Antonov An‑24, a Soviet-era twin turboprop model introduced in the 1960s, remains in service with several regional Russian airlines. Widespread sanctions following 2022 have limited access to new aircraft and parts, prolonging the use of older fleets.
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