Russian plane with 49 on board crashes in eastern Amur region, all feared dead
PTC Web Desk: A tragic plane crash was reported in the eastern Amur region of Russia on Thursday, involving a passenger aircraft operated by Angara, a Siberia-based airline. The Antonov An-24, which was carrying 49 persons, including six crew members, is feared to have resulted in the deaths of all those on board, as reported by Russian news agency TASS.
The plane, en route to Tynda, a town in the Amur region near the Chinese border, suddenly disappeared from radar screens while approaching its destination. Regional authorities confirmed that the aircraft was carrying 43 passengers, including five children.
Russia's Ministry of Emergencies reported that a rescue helicopter located the wreckage of the plane. An Mi-8 helicopter, operated by Rosaviatsiya (Russia's civil aviation authority), discovered the burning fuselage of the aircraft in the aftermath of the crash.
According to initial reports, poor visibility during the plane's landing approach may have contributed to the disaster, with crew error being cited as a possible cause. The Antonov An-24, an aircraft that dates back to the 1950s, is commonly used in Russia for both passenger and cargo transportation, with over 1,000 units having been built since its introduction.
The authorities are continuing their investigation into the cause of the crash.
- With inputs from agencies
