BREAKING: Plane Carrying Nearly 50 Crashes on Remote Mountain in Russia, No Signs of Survivors

A passenger plane carrying close to 50 people has crashed in a remote mountainous area in Russia’s far eastern Amur region, with no immediate signs of survivors, authorities reported on Thursday.

The aircraft, an Antonov-24 operated by Angara Airlines, was en route from the city of Blagoveshchensk to the town of Tynda when it disappeared from radar at approximately 1:00 p.m. local time (0400 GMT).

A rescue helicopter later located the burning fuselage of the aircraft on a forested mountain slope, around 16 kilometers (10 miles) from Tynda.

Videos released by Russian investigators showed thick columns of smoke rising from the crash site deep within the forest. According to local rescuers aboard the helicopter, no signs of life were visible at the scene.

The Amur region’s civil defence agency confirmed efforts were underway to reach the wreckage:
“At the moment, 25 people and five units of equipment have been dispatched, and four aircraft with crews are on standby,” the agency said.

Due to the dense forest and rugged terrain, ground access has proven difficult.
“The main search operations are being conducted from the air,” a rescuer told Russia’s TASS news agency.

The plane was carrying 43 passengers and six crew members, including five children, according to the region’s governor, Vassily Orlov. However, Russia’s TASS news agency cited emergency services claiming the number of passengers was 40, with six crew onboard.

The aircraft reportedly crashed while making a second attempt to land at Tynda airport.
“While approaching Tynda Airport, the aircraft went around for a second landing, after which contact was lost,” the Far Eastern Transport Prosecutor’s Office said.
“The circumstances are being investigated,” it added, without immediately commenting on the cause of the crash.

The aircraft involved was reportedly manufactured nearly 50 years ago.
“In 2021, the aircraft’s airworthiness certificate was extended until 2036,” TASS quoted a source in aviation services as saying. AFP was unable to independently verify that information.

The Antonov-24, a Soviet-era twin-propeller plane that first entered service in 1959, remains in use across Russia’s remote regions. Despite efforts to modernize its aviation sector, Russia still relies on ageing light aircraft for travel in far-flung areas, where accidents, unfortunately, remain frequent.

Angara Airlines, a regional carrier based in Irkutsk, had not issued any official statement at the time of this report.

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