Russia says human error or technical failure two main theories for plane crash

Moscow: The Investigative Committee of Russia said on Saturday that it is looking into a pilot error or a technical failure as the most likely causes for the plane crash that killed 62 in southern Russia, Russian news agencies reported.

"At present, we are looking into two main theories for the plane crash in Rostov-on-Don: pilot error in connection with deteriorating weather conditions or a technical error," Interfax news agency cited a representative of the Committee, Oksana Kovrizhnaya, as saying.

Grainy pictures from a security camera pointing towards the airport, which were broadcast on Russian television, showed a large explosion at ground level, with flames and sparks leaping high into the air.

A representative of Rostov's emergency ministry said at a briefing that flight recorders have not yet been recovered.

"We are doing all we can to gather information as quickly as possible. At this moment our thoughts and prayers are with our passengers and our crew who were on board the aircraft," Flydubai said in a statement.

"We will do everything we can to help those who have been affected by this accident," said the carrier, which is owned by the Dubai government.

Six of the crew were non-Russians, Russian emergency ministry said in a statement on it website.