Tragedy in Amur: An-24 Plane Crash Claims Dozens of Lives, Investigation Underway

Amur Region, Russia – A devastating An-24 passenger plane crash in Russia's far eastern Amur region has resulted in the deaths of dozens of individuals, prompting a full-scale investigation and a period of mourning. The incident, which occurred on July 24, involved an aircraft that had been in operation for nearly five decades.

Initial reports indicated that 49 people were on board the "Angara Airlines" An-24 aircraft, including 43 passengers (with 5 children among them) and six crew members, all of whom were feared dead. Later, the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MCHS) clarified the final death toll, stating that 48 people perished in the crash: 42 passengers and six crew members. The Russian Investigative Committee officially confirmed that there were no survivors.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev extended his condolences to Russian President Vladimir Putin following the tragic event. In the Amur region, Governor Vasily Orlov declared a three-day mourning period, emphasizing that "this terrible tragedy claimed the lives of 48 people."

The An-24 plane, with tail number RA-47315, was operating on the Khabarovsk-Blagoveshchensk-Tynda route. According to emergency services, contact with the aircraft was lost as it approached Tynda. The "Baza" Telegram channel reported that the plane was preparing for landing but could not complete it on the first attempt, proceeding for a second approach before communication ceased.

Wreckage of the aircraft, including a burning fuselage, was discovered by MCHS employees approximately 15-16 kilometers from Tynda, its intended destination. Preliminary information, citing emergency services, suggests that the likely cause of the crash was crew error during landing in poor visibility conditions.

The crashed An-24 had been in operation since 1976, making it approximately 49 years old at the time of the disaster. Its airworthiness certificate had reportedly been extended until 2036. The publication "The Insider" recalled a January report by "Reuters" which stated that the CEO of "Angara" company had previously sought permission to extend the operation of 50-year-old An-24 and An-26 aircraft due to a lack of new equipment.

Following the crash, regional transport investigative department opened a criminal case under the article on violation of traffic safety rules (Part 3, Article 263 of the Criminal Code). A commission from the Interstate Aviation Committee has commenced its investigation. As part of the probe, documents were seized from the "Angara" airline's office, and fuel samples were taken from Blagoveshchensk airport, where the plane had departed, to check for potential technical malfunctions. Flight recorders from the crashed aircraft were also recovered at the scene.

Among the victims, five employees of Russian Railways (RZD) were identified.

In a remarkable turn of events, one passenger who had planned to be on the ill-fated flight managed to avoid the tragedy. The woman decided to cancel her trip to Tynda and return home after her granddaughter fell ill, thus saving her life. According to the "112" Telegram channel, she has since opted to travel by train, fearing future flights.

The coincidence of the plane's age (49 years) and the initial reported number of fatalities (49) has drawn attention to numerological observations. Some esoteric teachings, particularly in Buddhism, assign special significance to the number 49, associating it with the period between death and rebirth (Bardo). This period is often marked by 49-day rituals to aid the soul's transition. Adding to the unusual details, the flight attendant on the An-24 was identified as 44-year-old Anastasia Bessmertnaya, whose surname translates to "Immortal."

The investigation into the precise cause of the An-24 crash continues, as the region mourns the lives lost in this tragic incident.