Russian Passenger Plane Crashes Near China Border, All 49 Onboard Killed

A tragic air crash occurred near the China-Russia border where a Russian passenger aircraft went down, killing all 49 people onboard — 43 passengers and 6 crew members. Among the passengers were 5 children. The aircraft had lost contact with the control room just hours before the crash.

Wreckage Found on a Hill Near Tynda

Rescue teams discovered the wreckage of the Russian aircraft on a hill around 16 kilometers away from Tynda. According to Reuters, the aircraft was flying in Russia’s eastern Amur region.

Amur Governor Vasily Orlov stated on Telegram that the missing aircraft belonged to Angara Airlines.

Flight Was En Route to Tynda, Lost Radar Signal Midway

Russia’s Emergency Ministry said the plane was flying from Khabarovsk to Tynda via Blagoveshchensk, a route that passes near the China border. Before it could reach Tynda, the aircraft vanished from radar and lost communication.

Disappeared During Second Attempt to Land

Governor Orlov confirmed that the aircraft, with 43 passengers and 6 crew members, including 5 children, went missing while trying to land for the second time. During its first landing attempt at Tynda Airport, the aircraft failed to land. During the second attempt, it disappeared from radar.

According to Interfax, the plane could not even establish contact with the designated checkpoint near the Tynda Airport during its final moments. Tynda city is located approximately 6,600 kilometers east of Moscow.

The Crashed Aircraft Was 63 Years Old

The aircraft involved in the crash was a Soviet-era An-24, first developed in 1967 for regional flights. Originally designed to carry 32 passengers, it could fly up to 400 kilometers at a speed of 450 km/h and carry a payload of 4 tons.

It was capable of operating from short, unpaved runways of just 1,200 meters in length. The An-24 could even continue flying if one of its engines failed.

After successful testing in April 1962, the aircraft began commercial passenger service in October 1962. A total of 1,367 An-24 aircraft were manufactured, with production in the Soviet Union continuing until 1979. Some An-24s are still in use today.

Similar Incident Occurred in Amur Last Year

Notably, a similar aviation tragedy occurred in the Amur region last September. A Robinson R66 helicopter carrying three individuals went missing during a flight without proper flight clearance.

A day after an emergency signal was detected, reconnaissance teams located the wreckage near Zolotaya Gora. All three occupants, including the pilot, were confirmed dead.