A Russian Antonov An-24 passenger plane crashed in the far east, killing all 48 people on board. The Soviet-era plane, nearly 50 years old, was found burning in a forested area. The flight was operated by Angara, a Siberian airline.
The plane was en route from Blagoveshchensk to Tynda and disappeared from radar while preparing to land. Regional authorities confirmed the fatalities and announced mourning. Debris was found near Tynda.
The Russian government launched an investigation. Angara operates ten An-24s. Airlines sought to extend the planes' service life due to a lack of replacements.
The An-24s are considered reliable but maintenance costs have risen due to sanctions. Many were due for retirement, but regional airlines are keeping them flying until a new aircraft is available, with mass production not expected until 2027.
5 Comments
Leonardo
Very sad. In all air disasters like this, we should remember the families involved. Time will help shed light into this crisis.
Michelangelo
50-year-old plane?! This is negligence on a massive scale. The government needs to prioritize safety, not cost-cutting.
Raphael
Reliable planes, but aging ones. The investigation will shed light on what exactly happened. We must wait to form an opinion.
Michelangelo
The article says that airline has had difficulty with replacement planes. That may be a good reason to delay the purchase
Donatello
Saddening. Let's hope the investigation is thorough and focuses on both the cause and potential systemic issues.