Accidents

Russian Plane Crashes in Far East, Nearly 50 Killed

JUL 24 2025·Updated JUL 25 2025

Story

Above: The site of a crash of a Russian passenger plane crash in the Far East Amur region, Russia on July 24, 2025. Image credit: Far East Transportation Prosecutor's Office Press Service/Handout/Anadolu/Getty Images

The Facts

An Antonov An-24 passenger plane operated by Angara Airlines crashed Thursday near Tynda in Russia's Amur region, killing all people on board, according to regional Governor Vasily Orlov. The estimated fatality total is nearly 50 people dead.
Wsj
Telegram
Al Jazeera
The aircraft carried over 40 passengers, including five children and six crew members, with debris scattered across dense forest terrain that rescue teams struggled to reach.
Reuters
FOX News
The plane was on a multi-leg domestic flight from Khabarovsk to Blagoveshchensk and then to Tynda when it disappeared from radar during a second landing attempt.
RT
The New York Times
The Soviet-era aircraft, built in 1976, was found burning on a wooded hillside approximately 15 kilometers south of Tynda airport by rescue helicopters.
Guardian
RT
Russian authorities reported adverse weather conditions at the time of the crash, with poor visibility cited as a possible contributing factor to the disaster.
Ukrainska Pravda
Al Jazeera
Russia's Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case for violating air transport safety rules, while the Governor of the Amur region, Orlov, has declared three days of mourning.
Reuters
The Associated Press

Sources Split

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The Spin

Narrative A

This tragic crash highlights the dangerous reality of flying aging Soviet aircraft in Russia's harsh conditions. The 50-year-old Antonov was attempting a risky second landing in poor weather when disaster struck. These "flying tractors" may be workhorses, but they're becoming death traps.

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Narrative B

The An-24 remains a reliable aircraft well-suited for Siberia's extreme conditions, capable of operating in sub-zero temperatures without requiring proper runways. Aviation incidents have increased due to Western sanctions limiting access to parts and maintenance, not inherent aircraft flaws.