Russian Authorities Discover Wreckage of Missing Passenger Plane Near Tynda; No Survivors Found

Russian rescue teams have located the wreckage of a passenger aircraft that disappeared from radar on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, just 16 kilometers (10 miles) from its intended destination at Tynda Airport in the country’s Far East. Authorities have confirmed that there are no survivors among the nearly 50 people on board. The ill-fated aircraft, an Antonov An-24 operated by Angara Airlines, had taken off from Blagoveshchensk, near the Russian-Chinese border, and was scheduled to land in Tynda, Amur Region. According to aviation authorities, there were 49 people on board—43 passengers, including five children, and six crew members. The plane lost contact with air traffic control during its approach to the airport. A search-and-rescue operation was launched immediately, and helicopters from the Ministry of Emergency Situations were deployed. Hours later, emergency crews discovered the charred remains of the aircraft deep in a forested area on hilly terrain approximately 16 kilometers south of Tynda. Images released by local authorities showed the plane’s fuselage in flames, indicating a catastrophic crash upon impact. First responders who reached the remote location confirmed that no survivors were found at the crash site. Investigations are now underway to determine the cause of the crash. Preliminary reports suggest the aircraft may have encountered poor visibility in its final approach, raising suspicions of human error under challenging weather conditions. However, officials have not ruled out a technical malfunction. The Antonov An-24 involved in the crash was reportedly close to five decades old. Though the aircraft had been certified for continued service and had undergone periodic maintenance checks, aviation analysts have raised concerns in recent years about the operational safety of aging Soviet-era planes still flying in some parts of Russia. The Russian Interstate Aviation Committee (MAK) has taken over the investigation and will be analyzing flight data and cockpit voice recorders, once recovered, to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the crash. The Amur regional government has pledged full cooperation with federal authorities and has promised support for the families of the victims. President Vladimir Putin has been briefed on the incident and expressed condolences to the bereaved families, while ordering relevant agencies to carry out a thorough probe. As recovery operations continue in the difficult terrain surrounding the crash site, authorities say search teams are working around the clock to retrieve remains and secure evidence to assist investigators. The crash is one of the deadliest aviation disasters in Russia in recent years and is likely to renew scrutiny on domestic flight safety regulations, particularly in remote regions served by aging aircraft. More updates are expected as the investigation progresses.