Prime Highlights
- A Soivet-era Antonov An-24 with 48–49 was crashed near Tynda, Russia.
- It was found on fire; no survivors.
Key Facts
- The plane, made in 1976, had its certification period not due until 2036.
- There were five children among the passengers.
Key Background
It was a Russian Far East air crash tragedy when an Angara Airlines Antonov An-24 turboprop passenger plane crashed during its second try at landing near the town of Tynda in Amur province. The 48 to 49-seat turboprop passenger plane had made a first pass, then refused it. The plane was lost on radar around 1 p.m. local time. Several hours after the crash, rescue helicopters hovered near the wreckage in a mountainous area with forestation, 15–16 kilometers off target. Hostile terrain and dense smoke made it impossible for rescue personnel to land and compelled them to undertake the long walk to the site.
The Antonov An-24 employed an effectively 50-year-old aircraft that was produced in 1976. The aircraft, though old, had just passed its certification to operate until 2036. Long and well-known, An‑24s were ubiquitous in Russia and other former Soviet republics for domestic flight. The old fleet has, however, seen reliability and safety problems. This model of aircraft has been linked to more than 60 serious accidents since the year 2000. The crash plane is said to have had a series of minor problems over the past few years.
One of the government commissions conducted a thorough probe on why the crash happened and inquired on potential abuses of the rules on aviation safety. The potential reasons are pilot mistake, mechanical malfunction, and adverse weather conditions visibility. President Vladimir Putin was informed and sent messages to the families of the victims. Rescue efforts are continuous day and night, even though all who are on board are assumed dead.
This accident inspires fresh apprehensions about Russia’s continued use of old aircraft, particularly at times of international sanctions limiting the country from importing newer plane spares. Other countries which have An‑24 fleets, such as Kazakhstan, Cuba, Laos, and Myanmar, would now be compelled to weigh the feasibility and safety of extending the lifespan of old fleets.
