Officials from the air accident investigating committee looking into the crash were quoted as saying a man named Zhang Pilin deliberately started a blaze as the plane approached Dalian. Everyone on board, including Zhang, died when the airliner plunged into the sea off the coast of Dalian.

The agency report did not elaborate on what evidence had led the committee to conclude Zhang was responsible, only commenting that the relevant government departments are handling the case according to law.

It was revealed that Zhang took out seven 20-yuan (US$2.40) insurance policies before boarding the plane.

In the event of his death and the insurance companies paying out, Zhang's beneficiaries stood to receive more than 1 million yuan (US$120,000).

Details of the suspected arsonist published by the Beijing Youth Daily said 37-year-old Zhang, a Dalian resident, had worked for police and foreign trade departments before quitting to start his own business.

And, said the paper, his wife has experience of working for insurance companies.

Zhang came under the spotlight soon after the accident because he was the only passenger on the ill-fated plane to take out over two insurance policies.

Insurance analysts said Zhang's accident risk policies would be invalid if it is confirmed his criminal act caused the disaster.

(China Daily December 9, 2002)