50 killed as Russian plane crashes in Amur region; pilot error suspected

A passenger plane in Russia carrying 50 people crashed near the town of Tynda in the eastern Amur region, close to the border with China. All 50 people onboard were killed. The incident took place on Monday, and officials believe that pilot error during landing may have caused the crash.

The plane, an An-24 model operated by Angara Airlines, was traveling towards Tynda when it disappeared from radar. Russian air traffic control lost contact with the aircraft shortly before it was expected to land. The plane is believed to have been just a few kilometers from its destination when the crash happened.

According to media reports from SHOT and Interfax news agencies, the aircraft was found later with its fuselage burning. Emergency teams located the wreckage in a remote area of the Amur region. They confirmed that there were no survivors.

The regional governor, Vasily Orlov, confirmed the number of people on board. He said that there were 43 passengers, including five children, and six crew members. All were declared dead.

This tragic event has shocked the country and led to an investigation by the aviation authorities. The initial information points to a possible error by the pilot while landing, but officials are still collecting data to understand what went wrong.

Search teams confirm no survivors

Shortly after the plane went missing, emergency teams and helicopters were sent to look for it. Rescue workers found the burning wreckage and confirmed that everyone on board had died. According to reports, the plane had dropped off radar screens while approaching Tynda.

Local authorities said that the aircraft might have faced difficulties just moments before landing. Bad weather or a sudden technical failure has not been ruled out yet, but pilot error remains the main suspected cause for now.

The crash has raised concerns over the safety of older aircraft still in use in some parts of Russia. The An-24 model is a Soviet-era aircraft that has been in service for decades. Although many of these planes are still used in remote regions, their safety record has been under question.

Angara Airlines, which operated the aircraft, is a regional airline that mainly serves areas in eastern Russia. The company has not made an official statement yet, but aviation experts say that the investigation will also check the aircraft’s maintenance records and the pilot’s flight history.

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Family members of the passengers and crew are being contacted, and grief centers have been set up in the Amur region to support them. Russian President Vladimir Putin has been informed about the incident and is receiving regular updates on the investigation.

In recent years, Russia has seen a number of small and regional aircraft crashes, often in remote parts of the country. This crash once again highlights the challenges of maintaining air safety in difficult terrains and older fleets.

Further updates are expected from the Russian aviation ministry and local emergency services once the full investigation report is prepared. For now, the country mourns the loss of 50 lives in this tragic crash.