Cause of May 7 air crash identified

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 ◆ Cause of May 7 air crash identified

The air crash that killed 112 aboard a MD-82 passenger plane on May 7 this year in northeast China was caused by a fire set by a passenger named Zhang Pilin, officials said Saturday (Dec.7).

Departments concerned are dealing with the case according to law, said the officials with the State Council leading group in charge of handling the aftermath of the accident. But no further information about Zhang Pilin is immediately available.

The officials said that the central authorities have attached great importance to the accident, and all central government departments concerned and the governments of Liaoning Province and Dalian City have made concerted efforts to carry out investigations in a down-to-earth and responsible attitude.

Investigations have proven that the air crash was caused the fire set by Zhang Pilin, the officials said.

The MD-82 passenger airliner of China Northern Airlines carrying 103 passengers and nine crew on a flight from Beijing to Dalian plunged into the sea at about 21:40 on May 7 after reporting a fire in the cabin to ground air traffic control. All people aboard died in the crash.