Sixty-one-year-old An-24 aircraft met its demise in a catastrophic crash, claiming the lives of 48 individuals due to its aged and worn-out condition.
In the skies of Russia, a fleet of nearly 50-year-old Antonov An-24 aircraft continues to operate, despite the growing concerns about maintenance, spare parts, and compliance with modern safety standards. The recent tragic crash of an An-24 in the Zabaykalsky Krai, near Chita, has once again brought these issues to the forefront.
On July 24, 2025, a passenger An-24 belonging to Angara Airlines disappeared from radar at 12:58 Moscow time. The plane, which had been in service for 49 years and 6 months, was en route from Khabarovsk to Blagoveshchensk to Tinda. All 43 people on board, including 5 children, lost their lives in the crash.
The wreckage of the plane was found 16 kilometers from Tinda Airport in the Amur region. Preliminary investigations suggest that engine failure may have been the cause of the hard landing, resulting in nine injuries on a previous flight involving an An-2 aircraft.
The An-24, designed for rugged operation from short, poorly prepared airstrips, is a staple in Russia's vast and often remote regions. However, its age and the demanding flying conditions have led to over 150 recorded incidents, with the recent crash being a grim reminder of the risks associated with operating this aging fleet.
The An-24RV variant, widely used on regional routes in Russia, has been at the centre of safety concerns. For instance, a 1976-built An-24RV (registration RA-47315) operated by Angara Airlines crashed in July 2025 in Russia’s Far East during a challenging landing attempt in bad weather.
Countries like Lithuania have banned the An-24 due to safety shortcomings and maintenance difficulties, but Russia continues to operate the aircraft due to its suitability for remote areas where newer aircraft procurement remains constrained.
The family of doctors Galina Naidenova and her husband Alexei Naidenov were among the victims of the crash. The most experienced member of the crew was the 61-year-old commander, Vyacheslav Logvinov.
In the past month, another An-24 aircraft of "Polar Airlines" flew and landed with one engine running after the right engine had to be shut down due to low oil level. On June 5, an An-2 aircraft in the Saratov region made a hard landing and caught fire, with the pilot hospitalized in critical condition.
Moreover, on July 8, an An-2 aircraft RA-07873 of LLC "Dalselkhozmash" ran off the runway during landing in the Kamchatka Krai, near the Ozerovsky deposit. The aircraft sustained damage estimated at over one million rubles, and a criminal case has been opened.
The history and current status of the An-24 fleet highlight a balance of operational necessity versus growing safety risks in Russia's unique aviation environment. The challenges posed by the aging fleet, coupled with the harsh flying conditions, underscore the need for urgent action to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.
- The science of aviation and the medical-conditions faced by survivors of aircraft accidents are areas of growing interest in the health-and-wellness industry, as recent tragedies involving the Antonov An-24 highlight the need for improved safety standards in the aviation industry.
- The finance sector is closely monitoring the use of the Antonov An-24 aircraft in Russia, as the growing concerns about maintenance, spare parts, and compliance with modern safety standards could lead to potential risks for investors and insurers in the transportation industry.
- The ongoing operation of the aging fleet of Antonov An-24 aircraft has brought crime-and-justice issues to the forefront in Russia, as the recent crash and other incidents involved in the aircraft have led to questions about accountability and oversight within the aviation industry.
- The general news media has been covering the tragic crash of an An-24 in Russia extensively, raising awareness about the risks associated with operating outdated aircraft in challenging flying conditions and the need for urgent action to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.
- The Aftermath of the An-24 crash has highlighted the financial and human costs of car-accidents and other transportation-related accidents, as the families of doctors Galina Naidenova and Alexei Naidenov and the most experienced member of the crew, Vyacheslav Logvinov, all lost their lives in the crash.
- The safety of passengers and crew in Russia's aviation industry is a complex issue that requires collaboration between finance, maintenance, and regulatory authorities to address the growing concerns about the aging fleet and the harsh flying conditions that pose risks to passengers and crew.
