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Russian plane crash: First 'black box' brought to Moscow Russian plane crash: First 'black box' brought to Moscow
(35 minutes later)
The flight data recorder of the Russian military airliner which crashed in the Black Sea on Sunday has been recovered and brought to Moscow.The flight data recorder of the Russian military airliner which crashed in the Black Sea on Sunday has been recovered and brought to Moscow.
The Tu-154 jet came down with the loss of all 92 passengers and crew. At least 12 bodies have been recovered so far.The Tu-154 jet came down with the loss of all 92 passengers and crew. At least 12 bodies have been recovered so far.
It was carrying artistes due to give a concert for Russian troops in Syria, and journalists and military personnel.It was carrying artistes due to give a concert for Russian troops in Syria, and journalists and military personnel.
The cause of the disaster is still being investigated but there is no suggestion of a terror attack.The cause of the disaster is still being investigated but there is no suggestion of a terror attack.
During the night, salvage teams recovered parts of the fuselage and the defence ministry now says the plane's chassis and one of its engines have been located underwater.
The plane crashed soon after take-off from an airport near the city of Sochi.The plane crashed soon after take-off from an airport near the city of Sochi.
It disappeared from radar two minutes after taking off from Sochi's Adler airport at 05:25 (02:25 GMT) on Sunday, heading for Latakia in Syria.It disappeared from radar two minutes after taking off from Sochi's Adler airport at 05:25 (02:25 GMT) on Sunday, heading for Latakia in Syria.
Coming from Moscow, the plane had landed in Sochi for refuelling.Coming from Moscow, the plane had landed in Sochi for refuelling.
It was carrying 64 members of the famed Alexandrov military music ensemble, as well as one of Russia's best-known humanitarian figures, Yelizaveta Glinka, known as Dr Liza, executive director of the Fair Aid charity.It was carrying 64 members of the famed Alexandrov military music ensemble, as well as one of Russia's best-known humanitarian figures, Yelizaveta Glinka, known as Dr Liza, executive director of the Fair Aid charity.
The Alexandrov Ensemble had been scheduled to perform a New Year's concert at Russia's Hmeimim air base near Latakia.The Alexandrov Ensemble had been scheduled to perform a New Year's concert at Russia's Hmeimim air base near Latakia.
Russia has been carrying out air strikes in support of Syrian government forces who are battling rebels opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.Russia has been carrying out air strikes in support of Syrian government forces who are battling rebels opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Overloading? Overloaded?
The flight data recorder was found by a Seaeye Falcon underwater remotely operated vehicle at a depth of 17m (56ft), 1,600m from the shore, the Russian defence ministry told Russia's Ria-Novosti news agency.The flight data recorder was found by a Seaeye Falcon underwater remotely operated vehicle at a depth of 17m (56ft), 1,600m from the shore, the Russian defence ministry told Russia's Ria-Novosti news agency.
It is said to be in good condition. A military spokesman said the recorder was in a "satisfactory condition".
According to the same source, the location of a second black box had also been established and it could be recovered shortly. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu described the crash as a "horrible tragedy" and said everything was being done to establish the cause.
There have been few clues as to the cause of the crash although Transport Minister Maxim Sokolov has played down the possibility of a bomb attack. It is believed that the location of a second black box has also been established and it could be recovered shortly.
He reiterated that investigators were looking into whether pilot error or a technical fault might have brought down the aircraft. Transport Minister Maxim Sokolov reiterated that investigators were looking into whether pilot error or a technical fault might have brought down the aircraft.
A source close to the investigation told Interfax the plane may have been overloaded.A source close to the investigation told Interfax the plane may have been overloaded.
"Witness accounts and other objective data obtained during the investigation suggest the plane was unable to gain height and for some reason - possibly overloading or a technical fault - crashed into the sea," the unnamed source said."Witness accounts and other objective data obtained during the investigation suggest the plane was unable to gain height and for some reason - possibly overloading or a technical fault - crashed into the sea," the unnamed source said.
According to an Aviation Safety Net report, the plane made a U-turn back towards the coastline shortly after take-off, before disappearing off the radar.According to an Aviation Safety Net report, the plane made a U-turn back towards the coastline shortly after take-off, before disappearing off the radar.
But audio recording played on Russian media and said to be of the final conversation between air traffic controllers and the plane reveals no sign of any difficulties. But an audio recording played on Russian media and said to be of the final conversation between air traffic controllers and the plane reveals no sign of any difficulties.
Voices remain calm until the plane disappears and the controllers try in vain to re-establish contact.Voices remain calm until the plane disappears and the controllers try in vain to re-establish contact.
The Tupolev airliner involved in the crash was an old model no longer flown by air lines in Russia but still used by the military. It was 33 years old.The Tupolev airliner involved in the crash was an old model no longer flown by air lines in Russia but still used by the military. It was 33 years old.
Tupolev-154: Russian workhorseTupolev-154: Russian workhorse
'Only sorrow left''Only sorrow left'
Russia observed a day of mourning on Monday for the victims.Russia observed a day of mourning on Monday for the victims.
Prayers were said in the country's Russian Orthodox Christian churches and a makeshift shrine was set up in Moscow outside the headquarters of the Alexandrov Ensemble. One woman who came to the headquarters of the Alexandrov Ensemble to pay her respects told Reuters news agency: "This is Russia's best choir.
One woman who came to the building to pay her respects told Reuters news agency: "This is Russia's best choir.
"I come from the Republic of Sakha [Yakutia]. They had performed in my home town six times... I do not know what to say. Words cannot express my feelings. Sorrow is the only thing left.""I come from the Republic of Sakha [Yakutia]. They had performed in my home town six times... I do not know what to say. Words cannot express my feelings. Sorrow is the only thing left."
Another mourner added: "I cannot believe it. I've seen the victim list but I really cannot believe it. I still cannot recover from the shock... To Russia, losing the choir members and such a group is a great disaster."
Mourners in Moscow have also been laying flowers outside the headquarters of Fair Aid in memory of Dr Liza, who had been on the plane to deliver medication to a university hospital in Latakia.Mourners in Moscow have also been laying flowers outside the headquarters of Fair Aid in memory of Dr Liza, who had been on the plane to deliver medication to a university hospital in Latakia.
In the Russian capital, she is mostly remembered for feeding, clothing and providing medical care to the homeless people who sleep in train stations.In the Russian capital, she is mostly remembered for feeding, clothing and providing medical care to the homeless people who sleep in train stations.
"Liza Glinka helped the people that everyone turned away," human rights activist and opposition journalist Zoya Svetova, who knew her, told AFP news agency.
What is the Alexandrov Ensemble?What is the Alexandrov Ensemble?