Search Intensifies After Aircraft Carrying 50 Vanishes in Remote Region

• A nearly 50-year-old Soviet-era Antonov An-24 passenger aircraft operated by Angara Airlines tragically vanished from radar screens
• Shortly after, it was said to have crashed into a remote forest near Tynda, killing everyone on board, according to preliminary reports from Russian emergency officials
• The burning wreckage was discovered deep in a densely wooded area, prompting emergency crews and investigators to rush to the scene

A Soviet-era Antonov An-24 aircraft carrying approximately 50 people crashed in Russia’s remote Far Eastern region on Thursday, with initial reports suggesting that all onboard had perished, according to Russian emergency services officials.

The ageing twin-engine passenger plane, built in 1976 and operated by Siberia-based carrier Angara, was en route from Blagoveshchensk to Tynda when it disappeared from radar near its destination.

Vasily Orlov, governor of the Amur region, stated that preliminary data indicated there were 43 passengers onboard, including five children, alongside six crew members.

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The Russian emergencies ministry, however, cited a slightly lower figure, estimating around 40 people in total.

Debris from the aircraft was reportedly discovered on a forested hillside approximately 15 kilometres from Tynda.

Video footage, apparently recorded from a helicopter and circulated on social media, appeared to show the charred wreckage nestled in dense woodland. Emergency service officials confirmed that the burning fuselage was spotted from the air.

Search operation underway after Antonov An-24 crash

“During the search operation, a Mi-8 helicopter belonging to Rossaviatsiya discovered the fuselage of the aircraft, which was on fire,” wrote Yuliya Petina, an official from the emergency services, on Telegram. “Rescuers continue to make their way to the scene of the accident”.

Authorities swiftly launched an investigation into the tragic incident as rescue crews raced towards the site.

The cause of the crash remains unknown, but the aircraft’s vintage status has raised concerns about ageing fleets operating in challenging terrain across remote Russian regions.

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About Antonov

The Antonov An-24 is a twin turboprop regional airliner developed by the Soviet Antonov Design Bureau in the late 1950s. Designed for short- to medium-haul routes, it first flew in 1959 and entered service in 1962.

Known for its rugged construction and ability to operate from unpaved runways, the An-24 became a workhorse across the Soviet Union and beyond.

With a seating capacity of around 44 passengers, it was widely used for both civilian and military transport. Over 1,000 units were built, and despite its age, several remain in service today, particularly in remote regions with limited infrastructure.

Air Peace addresses alleged plane crash

Legit.ng earlier reported that Air Peace has clarified allegations that one of its planes crashed in the Western Sahara region and killed people are untrue.

Ejike Ndiulo, the airline's head of corporate communications, signed a statement the airline released on Thursday.

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Ndiulo asserts that the pictures that are going around with the artificially generated reports are computer-generated. For accurate updates on its activities, the aviation company advised the public to ignore the harmful accusations and rely to official channels, The Cable reported.

Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng