Metal shavings in the engine oil of the Antonov An-24 that ditched in a river in Russia's Siberia last week were likely to blame for the crash, the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC) said on Monday.
Six people were killed and more than 20 injured when the plane, carrying 36 people, crashed into the Ob River on July 11 several minutes after the crew reported a fire in the aircraft's left engine.
Following the accident, a criminal case was initiated over the breach of air transport operation and flight safety rules.
Soviet-designed An-24s have been involved in a series of accidents over the past few years, including several fatal crashes. Last week's crash prompted Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to instruct the government to consider the early retirement of all An-24s, the last of which was produced in 1979.
