Russian Plane Plunged Vertically Into Ground

Investigators still aren't sure what caused a Russian plane to crash last night, killing everyone on board, but an official says video shows that the Tatarstan Airlines plane "was vertical, practically vertical" as it plunged into the runway. The pilot had tried to land the Boeing 737 several times before the crash, and the crew said there were technical problems preventing them from landing, the BBC reports.

Terrorism has been ruled out, and investigators are focusing on technical issues or crew error, plus weather conditions (it was raining at the time of the crash, and wind gusts were also reported, the Los Angeles Times notes). One woman who flew on the same aircraft earlier in the day said the plane vibrated intensely and "was tossed around" while landing, as if there was a strong wind, though there was not. (More Tatarstan Airlines stories.)