An-26 Aircraft Loses Contact
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported losing contact with an An-26 military transport aircraft on March 31 at approximately 6:00 PM Moscow time. The incident occurred during a scheduled flight over the Crimean peninsula. Search and rescue teams have been dispatched to the aircraft's last known location. While the precise number of people on board has not been officially confirmed, the pro-Russian Telegram channel Fighterbomber has reported the aircraft was carrying personnel, specifically 30 individuals.
Authorities state there was no recorded external fire impact on the aircraft. The An-26 is a Soviet-era military transport plane designed for:
- transporting up to 5500 kg of cargo;
- carrying 30-40 paratroopers;
- evacuating 24 stretcher-bound wounded.
The aircraft's technical specifications allow it to carry up to 38 passengers and 6 crew members. Its power plant consists of two main AI-24VT engines, each with 2820 horsepower.
Technical Specifications and Safety
The An-26 has a cruising speed of about 430-440 km/h and a maximum speed of 540 km/h. It can reach an altitude of up to 7500 meters, with a practical flight range varying from 1100 to 2000 km. The aircraft measures 23.8 meters in length with a wingspan of 29.2 meters. The crew typically numbers between 5 and 6 people.
This incident follows other recent aviation events in Russia. Previously, an An-22 aircraft crashed in the Ivanovo region with seven people on board. Separately, a Rossiya Airlines SSJ100 passenger jet made an emergency landing in Khabarovsk after part of its skin detached mid-flight.
The disappearance of this An-26 adds to a series of aviation incidents in Russia, raising broader questions about the safety and maintenance of the country's aging military and civilian fleets. The ongoing search and rescue operation may provide further details about the circumstances of the incident and the fate of those on board. The An-26 has been a workhorse of Soviet and Russian military logistics for decades, and its operational safety record is under renewed scrutiny.