Antonov AN-26 with 28 occupants crashed in Russia

An Antonov AN-26 crashed into the sea near the eastern Russian island of Kamchatka on Tuesday. The RIA news agency reports that the plane has been located. The passenger plane had 22 passengers and 6 crew members on board. The flight had departed from the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and was on its way to Palana. The Antonov AN-26 disappeared from the radar 10 kilometres before its destination.

Emergency services

Emergency services came into action immediately after the disappearance of the plane. Two helicopters and a plane were deployed to find the crashed plane. At this moment, ships are going to the place where the plane has been located. It is not known if there are any survivors. On board the plane is the head of the local government of Palana.

Kamchatka Aviation Enterprise

The Antonov AN-26 belongs to the small airline Kamchatka Aviation Enterprise. This aircraft has been in use since 1982 and was in good condition according to its director. Previously, an Antonov AN-28 of Kamchatka flew into a mountain in 2012. At that time 10 of the 14 occupants were killed. In this crash both pilots were found to have alcohol in their blood.

(c) Photo: Antonov – AN-26