An Antonov An-24 passenger plane, carrying 48 people, crashed in Russia’s far east on Thursday, killing everyone on board. The aircraft was preparing to land near Tynda, a railway junction in the Amur region, when it disappeared from radar. The plane had attempted a second landing after failing on its first approach.
The crash has raised concerns about the continued use of aging Soviet-era aircraft in remote areas of Russia, especially as Western sanctions have hindered the country’s ability to access spare parts and investment. Investigators have opened a criminal case regarding the potential violation of air traffic rules that led to the deaths.
The incident is also likely to prompt other countries operating the An-24, including North Korea, Kazakhstan, and others, to review their fleets. The crash occurred in a densely forested area, requiring heavy machinery to reach the site.
