Russia plane crash: All 49 feared dead after Antonov An‑24 goes down near China border

A nearly 50‑year‑old Antonov An‑24 operated by Angara Airlines crashed in the Amur region of Russia on July 24, shortly before landing at Tynda airport, close to the China border. It was carrying 43 passengers (including five children) and six crew members, and authorities believe there are no survivors.

The aircraft vanished from radar during a second approach in poor visibility, amid low clouds and rain.

An Mi‑8 helicopter from Russia’s civil aviation authority later discovered the burning fuselage on a remote mountainside about 15–16 km from the runway. Rescue teams are navigating dense forest and hilly terrain to reach the crash site.

Preliminary sources, including the Tass news agency and the Amur region’s emergencies ministry, suggest the crash may have been caused by crew error during landing, exacerbated by poor visibility.

The An‑24 model—widely used since the 1950s—has been involved in several fatal incidents in remote regions, prompting concerns about its safety in harsh environments.

The aircraft had taken off from Blagoveshchensk earlier that day. Regional governor Vasily Orlov confirmed deployment of emergency teams and equipment for the search operation via Telegram, emphasizing rugged terrain slowing ground access.

Local emergency services also set up hotlines for victims' relatives.

An official investigation has commenced, overseen by Russia’s transport investigative committee, aiming to analyze flight data, cockpit recordings, and weather conditions.

Angara Airlines has not yet issued a public statement about the crash.