What Caused the Russian Plane Crash in Amur?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 49 lives lost in the crash of the An-24.
- Flight operated by Angara Airlines.
- Aircraft caught fire mid-air, leading to crash.
- Rescue efforts hindered by difficult terrain.
- Investigation underway to uncover crash causes.
Moscow, July 24 (NationPress) A Russian An-24 aircraft, carrying 49 individuals including five children and six crew members, tragically crashed in the mountainous Amur region on Thursday, resulting in the loss of all lives on board, as reported by local media.
This ill-fated flight, operated by Angara Airlines, a Siberia-based airline, departed from Blagoveshchensk and was headed to Tynda, near the Russia-China border, when it lost contact with air traffic controllers shortly before its scheduled landing.
According to Russia's state news agency TASS, the aircraft caught fire mid-air and disappeared from radar.
Rescue helicopters later found the burning wreckage on a remote mountainside, approximately 16 kilometers from Tynda.
Officials from the Amur Centre for Civil Defence and Fire Safety confirmed that "no survivors were found when a Mi-8 search helicopter flew over the crash site."
"The aircraft caught fire upon crashing," stated a spokesperson. "Rescue operations have been hampered by the extremely difficult terrain, as the crash site lies on a steep, inaccessible slope."
The harsh geographical conditions of the region, characterized by dense taiga forests and swampy terrain, further complicated rescue efforts.
The aircraft did not send any distress signals before its disappearance, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Preliminary reports suggest that the An-24 may have been attempting a second approach to land at Tynda Airport when it lost radar contact.
A Rosaviatsia aircraft and multiple rescue teams were immediately dispatched to the area following the incident.
"All necessary forces and means have been deployed to search for the plane," stated Amur region governor Vasily Orlov.
Investigators from the Far Eastern Transport Prosecutor's Office have initiated a probe into the incident.
The cause of the crash remains undetermined, with officials anticipated to begin recovery operations and black box retrieval once ground access allows.