A passenger plane with nearly 50 people on board crashed Thursday in a remote area of Russia’s far eastern Amur region, with no immediate signs of survivors, according to local authorities.
The aircraft, a Soviet-designed Antonov-24 operated by Angara Airlines, vanished from radar around 1:00 p.m. local time while en route from Blagoveshchensk to Tynda. It crashed roughly 16 kilometres (10 miles) from Tynda, with a rescue helicopter later spotting the burning wreckage on a forested mountain slope.
Footage released by Russian investigators showed thick smoke rising from the crash site in dense woodland. Rescuers in the helicopter saw no signs of life. A ground team has been dispatched, but authorities say difficult terrain is hampering access to the site.
According to officials, the plane was carrying either 43 passengers and six crew, or 40 passengers and six crew, with five children among those on board. It reportedly crashed while attempting a second landing at Tynda airport.
“The plane initiated a go-around for a second approach before contact was lost,” said the Far Eastern Transport Prosecutor’s Office, which has launched an investigation.
No official cause has been given yet.
The aircraft, built nearly 50 years ago, had its airworthiness certificate extended until 2036, according to a source cited by state news agency TASS.
The Antonov-24, first introduced in 1959, remains widely used in remote areas of Russia, where older aircraft are still common and aviation accidents occur frequently.
Angara Airlines has yet to issue a public statement.
