AirAsia QZ8501: Ice likely culprit in crash

An Indonesian helicopter in search operations earlier this week for AirAsia flight QZ8501 that crashed in the Java Sea. Extreme bad weather could have triggered the crash, officials say. --PHOTO: AFP

SINGAPORE: Extreme bad weather triggered last Sunday's crash of AirAsia Flight QZ8501, Indonesia's weather officials said Friday, as Russia became the latest nation to get involved in the search effort for the doomed jetliner.

The 14-page "meteorological analysis" is the first official word from Jakarta on the reasons for the crash and comes close to confirming widespread speculation on the reasons for the disaster.