Lack of de-icing likely caused Russian plane crash

MOSCOW - The Associated Press

Emergency service workers investigate the wreckage of the UTair airlines ATR 72 passenger plane that crashed near the Siberian city of Tyumen April 2, 2012. REUTERS photo

Russia's top investigative agency says that a Russian plane crash that killed 31 people most likely was caused by a failure to de-ice the aircraft.

The ATR-72 turboprop belonging to UTair slammed into a snowy field minutes after taking off Monday from the Siberian city of Tyumen with 43 people aboard. Twelve survivors remain in serious condition.

The state Investigative Committee said Wednesday the French-Italian-made aircraft hadn't been properly de-iced before takeoff, which appears to have been "the most likely reason of the crash." The agency said further analysis of technical data would be required before a final verdict.

Russia has seen a string of deadly crashes in recent years, which have been blamed on lax government controls and widespread neglect of safety.