A big plane crash is rare these days so every time there is one, we are all riveted. Despite plane travel being one of the safest forms of transport on the planet, people still have an uneasy fear when it comes to planes.

The loss of FkyDubai’s Flight 981 today at Rostov-on-Don Airport , Russia, in the early morning hours of 19 March 2016, is shocking.

The crash occurred during the 737’s second attempted landing and resulted in the death of all 55 passengers and seven crew. The poor weather that was engulfing the airport meant the plane sat in a holding pattern for two hours between landing attempts. After aborting its second landing attempt, the 737 climbed to 1,200 metres (4,000 feet), then descended rapidly and crashed near the threshold of Runway 22.

FlyDubai is the baby sister of Emirates. Also government owned, this low cost carrier has a fleet of 49 (compared to 240 at Emirates) and 95 destinations (compared to 150).

Already questions are being asked:

• was the airport ill equipped to handle a landing in such weather?
• why was the flight not diverted?
• were the pilots exhausted after the flight and then two hours of circling?
• does Flydubai have adequate safety measures?

May the passengers and crew rest in Peace.