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EgyptAir crash: Plane 'made sharp turns before plunge' EgyptAir crash: Plane 'made sharp turns before plunge'
(35 minutes later)
An EgyptAir flight from Paris to Cairo made two sharp turns before plunging into the Mediterranean Sea, Greece's defence minister says.An EgyptAir flight from Paris to Cairo made two sharp turns before plunging into the Mediterranean Sea, Greece's defence minister says.
Panos Kammenos said the Airbus A320 had "turned 90 degrees left and a 360-degree turn to the right" and dropped more than 6,700m (20,000ft) before disappearing from radar.Panos Kammenos said the Airbus A320 had "turned 90 degrees left and a 360-degree turn to the right" and dropped more than 6,700m (20,000ft) before disappearing from radar.
Sixty-six people were on board, most of them from Egypt or France.Sixty-six people were on board, most of them from Egypt or France.
A major search is under way in seas south of the Greek island of Karpathos.A major search is under way in seas south of the Greek island of Karpathos.
Greek and Egyptian armed forces are involved in the effort, and France has offered to send boats and planes.Greek and Egyptian armed forces are involved in the effort, and France has offered to send boats and planes.
Egypt's Civil Aviation Minister Sherif Fathi told a news conference it was too early to rule out either terrorism or a technical failure as the reason behind the plane's disappearance.
He added that no wreckage had yet been found.
Of those on board, 56 were passengers, seven were crew members and three were security personnel. A Briton was among those on board.Of those on board, 56 were passengers, seven were crew members and three were security personnel. A Briton was among those on board.
Flight MS804 left Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris at 23:09 local time on Wednesday (21:09 GMT) and was scheduled to arrive in the Egyptian capital soon after 03:15 local time on Thursday.Flight MS804 left Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris at 23:09 local time on Wednesday (21:09 GMT) and was scheduled to arrive in the Egyptian capital soon after 03:15 local time on Thursday.
EgyptAir said the plane had been flying at 11,300m (37,000ft) when it disappeared from radar shortly after entering Egyptian airspace.EgyptAir said the plane had been flying at 11,300m (37,000ft) when it disappeared from radar shortly after entering Egyptian airspace.
Greek aviation officials say air traffic controllers spoke to the pilot when he entered Greek airspace and everything appeared normal.Greek aviation officials say air traffic controllers spoke to the pilot when he entered Greek airspace and everything appeared normal.
They tried to contact him again at 02:27 Cairo time, as the plane was set to enter Egyptian airspace, but "despite repeated calls, the aircraft did not respond". Two minutes later it vanished from radar.They tried to contact him again at 02:27 Cairo time, as the plane was set to enter Egyptian airspace, but "despite repeated calls, the aircraft did not respond". Two minutes later it vanished from radar.
French President Francois Hollande said he was keeping an open mind about the cause: "We will draw conclusions when we have the truth about what happened.French President Francois Hollande said he was keeping an open mind about the cause: "We will draw conclusions when we have the truth about what happened.
"Whether it was an accident, or whether it was - and it's something that is on our minds - terrorism.""Whether it was an accident, or whether it was - and it's something that is on our minds - terrorism."
He has spoken to his Egyptian counterpart and both leaders have been holding emergency meetings with their top officials, according to reports from both countries.He has spoken to his Egyptian counterpart and both leaders have been holding emergency meetings with their top officials, according to reports from both countries.
Analysis by Frank Gardner, BBC security correspondent Far too early to say: By Richard Westcott, BBC transport correspondent
The spectre of terrorism inevitably looms over this latest aviation tragedy. An Egyptian aircraft disappearing without a mayday is bound to raise the spectre of terrorism. But the truth is it is far too early to say why this plane vanished.
While there is no evidence yet to indicate a malicious attack, it was only seven months ago that the Islamic State (IS) group planted a bomb that brought down a Russian passenger jet over the Sinai. Whatever happened, it happened too quickly for the crew to raise the alarm.
IS have vowed to continue targeting the Egyptian state and westerners who visit Egypt. Initially, the aircraft seemed to drop off the radar at 37,000 feet, suggesting a sudden break-up. It is very rare for modern planes to simply break apart in mid-air. That meant an explosion was a real possibility.
In a different but also malicious incident in 1999 a disturbed EgyptAir co-pilot put a Boeing passenger plane into a fatal dive off the US coast killing all 217 people onboard, though the Egyptian government continues to say it was a mechanical failure. But then the Greek defence minister described the aircraft making sharp turns and dropping height quickly, which suggests it was intact for longer.
However at this stage investigators will be keeping an open mind about the cause of the plane's disappearance, including checking the maintenance record of the airframe. Even in the worst emergencies, pilots tell me they should have time to call for help, once they have got to grips with the problem. But not always.
Some of the relatives of those on board gathered at airports in Cairo and Paris to wait for news.Some of the relatives of those on board gathered at airports in Cairo and Paris to wait for news.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault who met some of the relatives at a crisis centre in Paris Charles de Gaulle called it a "moment of intense emotion" for them.French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault who met some of the relatives at a crisis centre in Paris Charles de Gaulle called it a "moment of intense emotion" for them.
Flightradar24 listed details of the plane's journey on Wednesday which showed it had flown from Asmara, in Eritrea, to Cairo, then on to Tunis, in Tunisia, before heading, via Cairo, to Paris.Flightradar24 listed details of the plane's journey on Wednesday which showed it had flown from Asmara, in Eritrea, to Cairo, then on to Tunis, in Tunisia, before heading, via Cairo, to Paris.
Aviation analyst Alex Macheras told the BBC that Airbus A320s were regularly used for short-haul budget flights and had "an amazing safety record".Aviation analyst Alex Macheras told the BBC that Airbus A320s were regularly used for short-haul budget flights and had "an amazing safety record".
In March, an EgyptAir plane was hijacked and diverted to Cyprus. The attacker later surrendered and all hostages were released.In March, an EgyptAir plane was hijacked and diverted to Cyprus. The attacker later surrendered and all hostages were released.
If anyone is concerned about relatives or friends following the disappearance of the flight, they can call this free number provided by EgyptAir: +202 259 89320.If anyone is concerned about relatives or friends following the disappearance of the flight, they can call this free number provided by EgyptAir: +202 259 89320.
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