Investigators wade through snow in hunt for clues to cause of Russian plane crash

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Rescuers search for human remains and collect plane debris at the site of the crashed Saratov Airlines Antonov AN-148 near Stepanovskoy, Moscow region on February 12, 2018. Photo: EPA

Published: 8:22pm, 12 Feb 2018Updated: 9:37pm, 12 Feb 2018

Investigators scoured the scene on Monday after a passenger plane crashed near Moscow minutes after take-off, killing all 71 people on board, in one of Russia’s worst-ever plane crashes.

The site of the crash was enveloped in heavy snow that was waist-high in places, making it difficult to access, with emergency workers forced to reach the wreckage by foot and use snowmobiles.

Russia’s Investigative Committee said it would consider explanations for the crash including human error, technical failure and the weather, as the country has experienced record snowfall in recent weeks. It did not mention the possibility of terrorism.

Debris from the crashed Antonov AN-148 passenger plane. Photo: EPA

The Antonov An-148 plane went down in the Ramensky district around 70km (44 miles) southeast of Moscow after taking off from Domodedovo airport in the Russian capital and disappearing off the radar at 2:28pm on Sunday.

The flight was operated by the domestic Saratov Airlines and was heading for Orsk, a city in the Ural Mountains.

Around 100 investigators and criminologists were working at the scene, the Investigative Committee, which handles major incidents, said on Monday.