Nose Gear Collapse on Angara Airlines Antonov An-24 During Landing in Kirensk

An Angara Airlines Antonov An-24 experienced a nose landing gear collapse during landing at Kirensk Airport (KCK) in Russia, concluding a scheduled domestic flight from Irkutsk. The twin-turboprop aircraft veered off the runway and came to rest in the grass, but fortunately, no injuries were reported among the 51 people onboard, which included 46 passengers and 5 crew members.

The aircraft involved, registered as RA-46620 and built in 1973, has been flying for over 50 years. It is part of Angara Airlines’ aging fleet, which has continued operating amid limited access to modern aircraft due to sanctions impacting the Russian aviation industry. This flight, designated as Angara Airlines Flight 83, departed Irkutsk at 12:50 PM local time and landed at Kirensk at approximately 2:33 PM, according to the Aviation Safety Network. Shortly after touchdown, the nose gear collapsed, leading to a runway excursion.

Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 confirms the cancellation of the return flight to Irkutsk (Flight 84), originally scheduled to depart at 3:40 PM local time. A substitute flight has reportedly been scheduled for the following morning to resume the disrupted service.

Angara Airlines, based in Irkutsk, relies heavily on the Antonov An-24 for regional routes. The airline operated over 130 An-24 flights this month, most of which start or end at Irkutsk International Airport (IKT), located near the Mongolian border. The Kirensk–Irkutsk route is one of the most frequently operated sectors, with 22 round trips scheduled for May alone.

This incident is not the first involving Angara’s An-24s. The Aviation Safety Network records several past accidents, including a tragic 2011 crash in the Ob River following an in-flight engine fire, which resulted in seven fatalities. In 2019, another An-24 suffered an engine failure before landing in Nizhneangarsk and crashed into a building, killing two people. The very aircraft involved in the recent gear collapse had also previously experienced a return-to-base event due to low oil pressure while flying under a different operator.

Despite its durability and adaptability, the Antonov An-24 is showing its age. Incidents like this highlight the growing risks associated with operating vintage aircraft. As Russian carriers grapple with restricted access to newer aircraft, older models like the An-24 continue to bear the weight of regional air travel demands—sometimes with dangerous consequences.

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