By Tony O'Riley-
Russian investigators are examining a host of possibilities that led to the fatal disaster of an aircraft struck by lightning, killing 48 people killed at least 40 people in full view of hundreds at the country’s main airport, were focusing on Monday on pilot error, equipment failure and bad weather as possible causes.
The plane, a Sukhoi Superjet 100, departed Moscow on Sunday evening, bound for Murmansk in northwest Russia. Russia’s Interfax news agency reported that a “loss of communication” caused by a “lightning strike” had led to the decision to return to Sheremetyevo. No official cause has yet been provided for the disaster.
Pilots were distressed soon after takeoff, the news agency Interfax reported, but other reports claim the p[lane was hit b lightning, causing the plane to burst into flames, as it pursued an emergency landing. The Investigative Committee of Russia- a Russian law enforcement agency- is examining the inexperience of the pilots, along with mechanical or weather-related problems, as possible contributing factors.
A number of passengers insisted on grabbing their carry-on bags before leaving the burning wreckage, in a violation of basic emergency protocol that would have slowed the evacuation. Videos posted online showed people walking away from the jet with luggage. Russians have reacted angrily at initial reports on state media and in a statement from the airline that had suggested that all aboard had, improbably, survived the jet fuel inferno.