Angara Airlines An-24 Crash Near Tynda: What Investigators Found

On 24 July 2025 an Angara Airlines Antonov An-24 crashed while approaching Tynda in Russia's Amur region. All 48 people on board died: 42 passengers and 6 crew. Early reports gave a figure of 49 and mentioned five children among the passengers, but the final count used by investigators is 48. This page sets out what is known, the investigators' conclusion and the wider safety questions.

What happened

The aircraft was operating a scheduled service from Khabarovsk with a stop in Blagoveshchensk, then on to Tynda. According to published summaries, the crew made a missed approach in poor visibility and crashed during the second landing attempt, about 16 km from the airport. Wreckage was located by helicopter in the evening, but the site is remote and swampy, and rescue teams did not reach it until later that night.

The aircraft was 49 years old. It had been built in 1976 and had flown for several operators, including Aeroflot. That is not unusual for the An-24, which is still used on short regional routes in Russia where runways are short and conditions are harsh.

What the investigation concluded

The Interstate Aviation Committee (MAK), which investigates civil accidents in Russia, published its investigation in early 2026. Summaries of the final report say the aircraft was flying about 600 metres lower than the assigned altitude because the altimeters were set to one pressure reference while the crew used another. In simple terms, the crew's altitude readings did not match the reference air traffic control was using, so the aircraft was lower than the crew believed. It struck trees and the ground. The report found no recorded failure of the aircraft systems before impact.

Because the flight data recorder tape was damaged by fire, investigators relied on the cockpit voice recorder, which survived.

Why altimeter settings matter

An altimeter measures air pressure and converts it into height. Pilots must set it to the right reference: QNH shows height above sea level, QFE shows height above the airfield. If the aircraft and the controller use different references, they can disagree by hundreds of metres. Crew training, standard phrases and cockpit cross-checks exist to catch this. A terrain warning system also alerts crews to rising ground, but only if the aircraft is fitted with a modern one. See our guide to air traffic control and aviation safety for how controllers and pilots share this information.

Wider issues for regional aviation

• Approach aids: remote airports often have limited landing aids, so crews rely on procedures and instruments in poor weather.
• Ageing fleets: sanctions have made new parts and aircraft harder to obtain for Russian airlines, which puts pressure on older types.
• Training and procedures: altimeter-setting errors are a known cause of accidents worldwide, which is why airlines train for them repeatedly.
• Terrain awareness equipment: upgrading older aircraft with modern warning systems is one practical step.

Companies that supply avionics, provide maintenance or train crews at flight schools work on these problems every day.

How controlled flight into terrain is prevented

Controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) means a serviceable aircraft is flown into the ground without the crew realising how close they are. It is one of the best-understood accident types, and the defences are well established:

• Terrain awareness and warning systems: these use a database of terrain and the aircraft's position to give audible warnings and pull-up commands.
• Stabilised approach rules: crews must meet set speed, altitude and configuration limits at fixed points or go around.
• Cross-checking: two pilots check each other's altitude calls and altimeter settings against the approach chart.
• Training: airlines practise missed approaches, poor weather landings and altimeter errors in the simulator.

A missed approach followed by a second try can add workload and fatigue, so many airlines train crews to consider diverting to an alternate airport after one failed attempt in marginal conditions.

Frequently asked questions

How many people died?

48: 42 passengers and 6 crew.

Was it a technical failure?

The investigation recorded no failure of aircraft systems before impact. The conclusion points to an altimeter reference error.

Who investigated?

The Interstate Aviation Committee (MAK).

Sources: MAK, Wikipedia.