Human error blamed for Angara Airlines An-24 crash in Russia

Russian authorities have identified the cause of the Angara Airlines An-24 passenger plane crash in the Amur region in July 2025.

According to investigators, the aircraft descended 500 metres below the safe flight altitude due to incorrect barometric altimeter settings by the flight crew.

The announcement was made by Stanislav Astashenko, head of the Criminalistics Department of the Eastern Interregional Investigative Department for Transport of the Investigative Committee of Russia, during a press conference reviewing the committee’s activities over 2025.

Astashenko’s briefing highlighted that the crash resulted from human error in instrument configuration rather than mechanical failure, underlining the critical importance of strict adherence to cockpit procedures and safety protocols.

At the same time, according to investigators, the priority version of the disaster is the collision of the aircraft with the ground in controlled flight. It was also established that the aircraft was in a technically sound condition, and the weather conditions generally allowed landing. However, heavy rain and dense clouds at altitudes from 200 to 600 metres made it impossible for the crew to visually monitor the surface of the earth. During the descent, the plane hit the treetops on the hill, after which a fire broke out.

The AN-24 crashed in the Amur region, 15 kilometres from the city of Tynda, on July 24, 2025. Communication with the aircraft was lost during the flight on the Khabarovsk – Blagoveshchensk – Tynda route. Later, his burning fuselage was found on the ground. All passengers and crew members were killed.

By Vafa Guliyeva