Horrific damage to Polar Airlines plane after it flew through thunderstorm

By The Siberian Times reporter

20 July 2018

Investigation launched into suspected hailstone damage to An-24 twin turboprop - but all 30 on board were unharmed.

The airline has praised captain Nikolay Starostin and his crew for ensuring the safety of passengers.

The nose of the Antonov aircraft was holed and severely damaged after the plane flew through ‘unfavourable weather conditions’ en route from Olenyok to Yakutsk in the Sakha Republic - also known as Yakutia.

All on board were safe despite the rough flight.

The airline has praised captain Nikolay Starostin and his crew for ensuring the safety of passengers.

hole in the nose

Map

The pilot handed in regional capital Yakutsk without incident following the 1,070 km (665 mile) flight.

Polar Airlines has denied a lightning strike was responsible. Another possible cause is hailstones - but it is far from clear what happened.

Air safety watchdog Rosaviation has set up a commission to investigate the incident.

The airline has praised captain Nikolay Starostin and his crew

Nikolay Starostin

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I absolutely stand corrected my dear Russian comrades. I was completely unaware that you guys go into the military after high school and whatnot. Tell me is that mandatory? Just wow. Besides with your winters I should have known all but the worst of you would be competent and hard assed as hell. ;). Please forgive me ;)

Jamie Nagy, Hobart In

15/09/2019 16:39

Remember how old all those WWII bomber pilots were? Most weren't even old enough to vote.

JJ, Phoenix, USA

08/08/2018 11:45

Interesting photos. How was there no apparent damage to the leading edge, cowling, props, spinners....?

Bob, USA

25/07/2018 18:43

Jamie, by 22, the average Russian male would have graduated high school at 17, served a couple years in the military (draft begins at 18), and would be finishing up university (unless he is a total screw up and didn't ever get in lol), working, getting married, and starting a family. And, yes, quite possibly flying a plane :D

It's not like the West, where one sees people even 30 years old still living with parents. In Russia, my friend, you grow up fast. Life makes you :)

Sergey, Somewhere

24/07/2018 15:03

That pilot has not even started shaving yet.

Michael , USA

24/07/2018 13:03

Is it just me or does that pilot look crazy as hell young?!? I mean Jesus how old is he?! 22?!

Jamie nagy, Hobart, indiana

24/07/2018 03:13

I agree with Benedikt, fantastic job to the Captain and Flight Crew. I hope we will hear what is found in the investigation. I have seen hailstones the size of baseballs once in my life in Tennessee, thankfully from safely inside a brick building. I don't know if that would cause this type of damage if it happened at flight altitude.

Pamela K Tetarenko, League City, USA

23/07/2018 23:09

whatever it was, the Captain and his crew really have earned their wages this time. it shows why training, training, training is so important. well done that they brought the passengers home safely.

Benedikt MORAK, Moscow

21/07/2018 01:27