Moscow, July 24 - An An-24 passenger plane operated by Angara, a Siberia-based airline, went missing in Russia’s far eastern Amur region, prompting an immediate and large-scale search effort. The aircraft, carrying approximately 43 passengers, including five children, and six crew members, lost contact with air traffic controllers while approaching its destination, the town of Tynda, located near the border with China. According to regional authorities, the plane vanished from radar screens during a critical phase of its flight along the Khabarovsk-Blagoveshchensk-Tynda route, raising concerns about its fate and the safety of those on board. Initial reports suggest the plane may have encountered difficulties during a second landing attempt after an unsuccessful first approach to Tynda’s airport, though the exact circumstances remain unclear.
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The Amur region, a remote and rugged area approximately 6,600 kilometers east of Moscow, presents significant challenges for search and rescue operations. Dense forests, mountainous terrain, and vast distances complicate efforts to locate the missing aircraft. Regional governor Vasily Orlov announced that all available resources, including emergency response teams and specialized equipment, have been deployed to scour the area for signs of the plane. The local emergencies ministry, which initially reported a slightly lower passenger count of around 40, is working alongside other agencies to coordinate the search. Authorities have not yet disclosed potential causes of the incident, such as mechanical failure, weather conditions, or human error, but the focus remains on finding the aircraft and any survivors.
The An-24, a Soviet-era twin-engine turboprop designed for short-haul regional flights, has been a workhorse in Russia’s aviation industry for decades, particularly in remote areas with limited infrastructure. Operated by Angara Airlines, the plane was en route to Tynda, a key hub in the Amur region known for its role in the Trans-Siberian Railway and its proximity to China. The loss of contact so close to its destination has heightened the urgency of the response, as the plane was reportedly only a few kilometers from the airport when it disappeared. This incident marks another chapter in the region’s history of aviation challenges, following a similar event in September 2024, when a Robinson R66 helicopter with three people went missing in the Amur region during an unregistered flight.
As the search continues, the incident underscores the difficulties of operating air travel in Russia’s far east, where harsh environmental conditions and aging aircraft can pose significant risks. Authorities have pledged to provide updates as new information emerges, but for now, the fate of the An-24 and its passengers remains uncertain, with rescue teams racing against time to locate the aircraft in the vast Amur wilderness.