A Yakovlev Yak-40 crashes into a river near Vanavara, Russia, killing 24.

The Yakovlev Yak-40 is a regional jet designed in Soviet Union by Yakovlev. The trijet's maiden flight was in 1966, and it was in production from 1967 to 1981. It was introduced to service in 1968, with export models following in 1970.

On 26 September 1994, a Yakovlev Yak-40, operated by Russian regional airliner Cheremshanka Airlines, crashed onto the bank of a river near Vanavara, Russia. All 24 passengers and 4 crew members died. The Russian investigation team concluded that pilot error was the cause of the crash. Poor weather conditions had required the flight to abort several landing attempts and the air crew failed to maintain awareness of the fuel quantity. This resulted in the aircraft crashing due to fuel exhaustion. Subsequently, the investigation team blamed the airport for "not reporting the weather condition" in a timely manner to the crew.

Vanavara is a rural locality in Evenkiysky District of Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia, located on the Podkamennaya Tunguska River at the mouth of the local Vanavarki River. Population: 3,153 (2010 Census); 3,313 (2002 Census); 5,697 (1989 Soviet census).

September 26 is the 269th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 96 days remain until the end of the year.