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4th LD Writethru: Dubai airliner crashes in southwestern Russia, killing all 62 onboard

Xinhua, March 19, 2016 Adjust font size:

A Boeing 737-800 passenger plane en route from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to Rostov-on-Don in Russia's southwestern Rostov region, crashed on Saturday at the city airport, killing all 62 people onboard, said the Investigative Committee of Russia.

The short- to medium- range airliner, with 55 passengers and seven crew members onboard, fell near the left of the runway while making a second landing attempt amid poor visibility conditions caused by heavy rain at about 03:50 Moscow time (0050 GMT), the RIA Novosti news agency reported, citing unnamed emergencies source.

The plane was of the Dubai Aviation Corporation, or Flydubai, which has confirmed the crash on its Facebook page, while saying it is unable to provide more specific details at this moment.

Preliminary number indicated that those killed included 33 women, 18 men and four children, the company said, adding that the aircraft departed Dubai International airport at 1820 GMT on Friday and was due to arrive at 2240 GMT at the night.

Most of the victims were Russian nationals, the authorities said. The Chinese embassy said initial information showed that no Chinese was on the plane.

Five foreigners are among those killed, including three Ukrainians, one Indian and one Uzbekistan citizen, RIA Novosti said, quoting Viktor Yatsutsenko, head of the National Crisis Management Center of the Russian Emergencies Ministry.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has extended condolences to families of victims.

An investigation into "the violation of transport rules and the operation of air transport" has been launched by Russia's Investigative Committee.

A tail-strike could have been the likely cause of the accident, RIA Novosti said, citing unnamed emergencies source.

Boeing said it stands ready to provide technical assistance upon the request of government agencies conducting the investigation, according to its website.

In the wake of the crash, the Rostov-on-Don airport has been closed, and inbound flights are being redirected to other destinations.

Governor of the Rostov region Vasily Golubev said the airport is to resume operation no earlier than 24 hours.

Founded in 2008 by the Dubai government, Flydubai is the city's first low-cost airline, according to its website. Endi