Plane Departure Strayed from Flight Protection Zone in Irkutsk Region
Aircraft Nose-First Crash at Kirensk Airport in Irkutsk Region
In an unexpected incident, a passenger aircraft operated by Angara Airlines skidded off the runway and crashed nose-first into the ground at Kirensk Airport in Russia's Irkutsk region. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the 46 passengers and the 5 crew members on board.
The mishap occurred during the aircraft's landing approach, when the front landing gear of the Antonov An-24 collapses, causing the aircraft to veer off the runway and impact the unpaved area. The aircraft, registered as RA-46620, sustained significant damage and will require extensive repairs.
Emergency services immediately responded to the situation and safely evacuated all passengers from the aircraft. The Eastern Transport Prosecutor's Office of the Investigative Committee of Russia has commenced an investigation to determine the cause of the incident.
The preliminary findings suggest a runway excursion due to a nose landing gear collapse, but the official cause remains under investigation. The incident took place on May 26, 2025.
Irkutsk, Zoya Oskolkova
© 2025, RIA "Novyi Den"
[1] Passengers and crew Members: 51 in total (5 crew, 46 passengers)[2] Aircraft involved: Antonov An-24 registered as RA-46620[3] Date of Incident: May 26, 2025, at Kirensk Airport in Russia's Irkutsk region
General news outlets reported a car-accident in the Irkutsk region, involving several vehicles, on the same day as the Kirensk Airport aircraft accidents. The sports section, however, remained unaffected with no related incidents or news updates. Despite the dramatic turn of events at the airport, the number of accidents remains generally low in the region.
