BREAKING NEWS: Boeing 737 passenger jet crashes killing all 62 passengers and crew in a fireball at a Russian airport

[EC]

    FlyDubai flight FZ981 was attempting to land at Rostov-on-Don in Russia
    The aircraft was believed to be making its second attempt when it crashed
    The plane's tail touched the runway during landing, causing the plane to break down and burst into flames, officials said
    FlyDubai said the plane was carrying 55 passengers ans seven crew
    There were 33 women, 18 men and four children aboard as passengers
    A CCTV camera captured the moment the aircraft exploded on the runway
    People who fear their loved ones may have been on board are asked to contact the FlyDubai: + 44 203 4508 853 or +9714 293 4100

By Regina F. Graham and Darren Boyle for MailOnline

Published: 02:05, 19 March 2016 | Updated: 06:10, 19 March 2016

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A FlyDubai Boeing 737-800 has crashed in a fireball while it attempted to land at a Russian airport killing everyone aboard.

Flight FZ981 was carrying 55 passengers and seven crew members from Dubai when it crashed at Rostov-on-Don airport, according to a statement released by FlyDubai. Earlier reports said that 61 people were aboard the flight.

Russia's Emergencies Ministry said in a statement: 'The plane made a second round coming in to land because of bad weather conditions.

'At landing the tail touched the runway, began to break down and burst into flames. At present, no combustion.'

Emergencies Minister Vladimir Puchkov told media during a press conference that it was scheduled to land at 6.20pm ET, which is 1.20am Moscow time, but crashed at 8.50pm ET, which is 3.50am Moscow time.

The passenger jet was believed to be flying in poor visibility during the landing attempts.

A video published on YouTube appears to show a fireball as the aircraft crashes into the ground.

Footage from FlightRadar 24 shows the aircraft made one attempt to land before it declared a missed approach and circled the airport for a second attempt.

Russian officials confirmed: 'According to preliminary data, the Boeing 738 crashed in poor visibility conditions, some 50-100 meters left of the runway.'

More plus some video at link: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3499812/Boeing-737-passenger-jet-crashes-killing-55-passengers-crew-fireball-Russian-airport.html

The answer to the first obvious question "Is it terrorist related?" seems to be "Probably not."

[mountaineer]

It comes as YouTube footage released this morning appears to show a fireball as the aircraft crashes into the ground.

The grainy black and white footage allegedly shows the plane plummeting towards the ground before a large fireball spreads through the nearby trees.

Smoke can be seen rising into the dark sky as cars drive past the burning wreckage.

A seven-minute recording allegedly from traffic control tapes on Saturday morning appeared to show the pilots chatting normally to officials as they discussed the weather.

The pilots are asked repeatedly about their visibility and can be heard saying it is around 5km.

Horrible. I hope it wasn't terrorism, not that it matters much to the families of the dead.   

[Right_in_Virginia]

OMG..those poor people and their families.   

Horrible.