Tragic Crash in Amur Claims Lives of All 49 Onboard An-24 Aircraft

A tragic aviation incident occurred on July 24, 2025, when a Russian An-24 aircraft, operated by Angara Airlines, crashed in the mountainous Amur region. All 49 individuals on board, including five children and six crew members, perished in the accident. The flight had departed from Blagoveshchensk and was en route to Tynda, near the Russia-China border, when it lost contact with air traffic control shortly before its expected landing.

Reports from local media indicate that the aircraft caught fire mid-air before disappearing from radar. According to the state news agency TASS, rescue helicopters later located the burning wreckage approximately 16 kilometers from Tynda. Officials from the Amur Centre for Civil Defence and Fire Safety confirmed that “no survivors were found when a Mi-8 search helicopter flew over the crash site.”

The spokesperson for the rescue operation noted, “The aircraft caught fire upon crashing.” Difficult terrain hampered rescue efforts, as the crash site is situated on a steep and inaccessible slope. The surrounding area, characterized by dense taiga forests and swampy conditions, further complicated attempts to reach the wreckage.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the An-24 was making a second approach to land at Tynda Airport when it lost radar contact. Notably, the aircraft did not send any distress signals prior to the incident, raising questions about the circumstances leading to the crash.

In response to the unfolding situation, Vasily Orlov, the governor of the Amur region, stated, “All necessary forces and means have been deployed to search for the plane.” As soon as the crash information was received, a Rosaviatsia aircraft and multiple rescue teams were dispatched to the area.

A formal investigation has been initiated by the Far Eastern Transport Prosecutor’s Office. The cause of the crash remains unclear, and officials plan to commence recovery operations and retrieval of the aircraft’s black box once ground access becomes feasible.

As the investigation unfolds, the focus will remain on uncovering the factors that led to this devastating loss of life. The incident has sent shockwaves through the region, highlighting the risks associated with air travel in remote and challenging environments.