MOSCOW: A Polar Airlines flight, identified as YAP217, made an unexpected landing on a frozen Kolyma River in Russia’s far east early Thursday. The emergency landing occurred due to a pilot error during the flight’s route from Yakutsk to Zyryanka and Srednekolymsk.
The Antonov-24 aircraft, designed for short- and medium-haul flights, touched down off the runway of Zyryanka airport in the Yakutia region. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries among the 30 passengers and four crew members on board. The plane itself did not sustain any damage during the incident.
Polar Airlines promptly issued a statement acknowledging the occurrence and confirming that the territorial department of the Federal Air Transport Agency has initiated an investigation into the incident. Preliminary information suggests that the cause of the emergency landing was attributed to an error by the crew in piloting the aircraft.
The unexpected landing on the frozen river underscores the challenges faced by air travel in extreme weather conditions, especially in regions known for severe cold and difficult terrains.
It is worth noting that the Antonov-24, created in 1959, has been a reliable workhorse for short- and medium-haul airlines.
