Moscow Desk, Delhi Magazine – A devastating aviation accident struck Russia’s Far East on Wednesday, July 24, 2025, as an Angara Airlines Antonov An-24 passenger aircraft (tail number RA-47315) crashed near Tynda, in the Amur Region, claiming the lives of all 48 people on board, including five children and six crew members. The tragedy has intensified concerns over Russia’s aging aircraft fleet and the broader implications of international sanctions on aviation safety.
The Disaster Unfolds: Second Approach Ends in Catastrophe
The flight, Angara Airlines Flight 2311, was en route from Blagoveshchensk to Tynda when it lost contact with air traffic control at approximately 1:05 PM local time during its second attempt to land. Initial reports suggest poor visibility and adverse weather conditions may have complicated the approach.
Rescue teams quickly located the burning wreckage approximately 15 kilometers from Tynda airport, deep within the densely forested and mountainous terrain near Russia’s border with China. Emergency services confirmed there were no survivors. Authorities have launched a criminal investigation into the incident, focusing on potential violations of air traffic safety and operation rules. Investigators from Russia’s State Research Institute of Civil Aviation and the Investigative Committee are on-site, meticulously piecing together the final moments of the ill-fated flight.
A Soviet-Era Workhorse: The Aging An-24
The crashed aircraft, an Antonov An-24, is a twin turboprop designed in the 1950s by the Soviet Union. Built in 1976, the plane was nearly 50 years old. While regular maintenance is crucial for older aircraft, questions are resurfacing about the long-term reliability of these Soviet-era machines, particularly in remote and challenging environments, exacerbated by limited access to modern replacement parts due to international sanctions. The specific aircraft involved, RA-47315, has reportedly been involved in four incidents since 2018, according to the BBC, and experienced an in-flight depressurization in 2017 after life extension work.
Insider Perspective: “Hard to Blame the Crew”
A former Angara Airlines employee, speaking exclusively to Russian media, defended the An-24’s inherent reliability but acknowledged the age of the fleet. “The company’s planes are naturally old,” the ex-staffer stated. “They are at least 40 years old. But planes are not cars; they undergo annual maintenance. The machine is rolled into a hangar and disassembled. Specialists from the State Research Institute of Civil Aviation perform thorough inspections. Problems are usually found in engines, hydraulics, and electrical systems.”
However, the former employee expressed skepticism about pilot error, emphasizing the crew’s experience. “You still have to try hard to ruin the An-24. In my opinion, the crew has nothing to do with it—the guys were experienced. It’s quite possible the engine failed.” When pressed on the cause of engine failure, the source remained cautious, deferring to expert analysis but stressing the An-24’s general robustness.
Sanctions and an Aging Fleet: Russia’s Aviation Crisis
The crash highlights a critical issue for Russian regional aviation: the ongoing impact of global sanctions, particularly those imposed after the 2014 annexation of Crimea and intensified following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. These sanctions have severely restricted Russia’s access to Western aircraft, parts, and maintenance tools, forcing domestic carriers like Angara Airlines to continue relying on domestically maintained but increasingly outdated fleets.
The An-24, once a widespread regional aircraft, is now a rare sight globally, largely confined to museums or cargo operations in many countries. Yet, it remains a vital lifeline in vast, remote areas of Siberia and the Far East, often serving as the sole means of transportation for isolated communities. Angara Airlines reportedly chose to forgo acquiring newer An-148 aircraft due to their reliance on imported Ukrainian-developed components, a decision that has kept their older An-24s in service.
Victims and Ongoing Investigation
Local media have reported that the flight carried families with young children, business travelers, and at least two local government employees. While the full list of victims has not yet been released, an outpouring of grief is sweeping across the region. Emergency psychological support teams have been deployed to assist the bereaved families.
Russian authorities have successfully recovered the black box flight recorders, which are expected to provide crucial data regarding the aircraft’s final moments. The Ministry of Transport, Rosaviatsiya (Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency), and civil aviation investigators will jointly assess whether mechanical failure, weather conditions, human error, or systemic issues contributed to this devastating accident.
National Mourning Expected
While no formal declaration has been made, there are strong calls for a national day of mourning, particularly in the Amur region, where many of the victims resided. This tragedy marks one of the worst regional aviation disasters in recent Russian history, underscoring the pressing challenges facing the country’s aviation sector.
Reported by Svetlana Petrova
