check the maya log file here
C:\Documents and Settings\YOURUSERNAME\My Documents\maya
you will see a file called mayaLog open it in a text editor and it should give you some clue as to why it crashed.
Are you using animation deformers? If you are maya 2016 now uses the gpu to speed this up so that may be causing it. Try turning of GPU Override in the settings under animation.
If you're using a rig try turning of parallel rig evaluation
If none of that helps post the contents of the maya log and me or someone else may be able to help further
From a readers' Q and A column in TV GUIDE: "If we get involved in a nuclear war, would the electromagnetic pulses from exploding bombs damage my videotapes?"