Sinai plane crash: IS claim rejected

An investigation is under way after a Russian airliner crashed in Sinai, killing all 224 people on board.

Egypt`s prime minister said a technical fault was the most likely cause, dismissing claims from Islamic State militants that they were responsible, reports BBC.

However, three airlines - Emirates, Air France and Lufthansa - have decided not to fly over the Sinai Peninsula until more information is available.

The plane`s black boxes have been found and sent for analysis, officials said.

The Kogalymavia Airbus A-321 came down early on Saturday, shortly after leaving the resort of Sharm el-Sheikh for the Russian city of St Petersburg.

Egypt`s civil aviation minister Hossam Kamal said there had been no sign of any problems on board the flight, contradicting earlier reports that the pilot had asked to make an emergency landing.

An Egyptian official had previously said that before the plane lost contact with air traffic controllers, the pilot had said the aircraft was experiencing technical problems and he intended to try to land at the nearest airport.

In Russia, the wife of the plane`s co-pilot, Sergei Trukhachev, said her husband had complained about the plane`s condition.

Natalya Trukhacheva told state-controlled NTV that their daughter had called her father before the flight left Sharm el-Sheikh.

"He complained before the flight that the technical condition of the aircraft left much to be desired," she said.
Russian and French investigators have joined the Egyptian-led probe, along with experts from Airbus, which is headquartered in France.

A criminal case had been opened against Kogalymavia for "violation of rules of flight and preparation for them", Russia`s Ria news agency reported.

Police have searched the company`s offices.

Kogalymavia spokeswoman Oksana Golovina insisted the 18-year-old plane was "fully, 100% airworthy" and added that the pilot had 12,000 hours of flying experience.