Fog & Fatal misjudgment: Was Russia's Antonov An-24 plane crash a human error?

A preliminary assessment suggests that crew misjudgment during landing in poor visibility conditions is the likely cause of Thursday’s fatal passenger plane crash in Russia’s far eastern Amur region.

Citing sources within the aviation sector, state news agency Tass reported that the Antonov An-24 aircraft, operated by Angara Airlines, failed to check in at a scheduled control point while approaching Tynda airport and vanished from radar shortly thereafter.

The aircraft, on a domestic route from Blagoveshchensk to Tynda—a stretch of roughly 570 kilometres—lost communication just kilometres before reaching its destination.


The Russian emergencies ministry later confirmed that the aircraft had dropped off radar near the town of Tynda, which lies not far from the Chinese border. All on board are presumed dead, according to preliminary reports.

The situation unfolded rapidly. The aircraft was reportedly within visual range of the airport when radio contact ceased. SHOT media indicated that visibility at the time was severely limited, making conditions for landing exceptionally challenging. Shortly after communication was lost, search teams mobilised.

Wreckage found ablaze in remote taiga

Several hours later, wreckage was discovered deep within the taiga, a densely forested and rugged region that hindered immediate access.

Russia’s emergencies ministry announced via Telegram that a Rosaviatsiya-operated Mi-8 helicopter located the smouldering fuselage.

Images posted by local media showed thick plumes of smoke rising from the treeline, confirming the intensity of the crash and fire.

Conflicting reports on number of passengers

The exact number of people on board remains uncertain. Regional governor Vasily Orlov initially reported 49 individuals—43 passengers, including five children, and six crew members.

Meanwhile, the emergencies ministry estimated the total at approximately 40, while other outlets, including Russia Today, cited 47. No official list of names has been released.

A veteran aircraft still in service

The Antonov An-24, a Soviet-era twin turboprop introduced in the late 1950s, continues to operate on regional routes across Russia, especially in areas with harsh weather and limited aviation infrastructure. While over 1,000 of these aircraft were built, concerns persist over their ageing components and suitability for modern aviation demands.

Angara Airlines, the operator of the ill-fated flight, is based in Siberia and is known for operating in challenging conditions. Its fleet regularly serves remote communities across Russia’s vast and often inaccessible eastern territories.

As emergency crews comb the wreckage for further evidence, aviation authorities have launched a formal investigation into the crash. Both weather conditions and crew decision-making are expected to form the core of the inquiry.

The crash site remains sealed off as officials gather critical data to piece together the events leading to the disaster