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Russian plane crash: First 'black box' brought to Moscow Russian plane crash: Experts begin examining flight recorder
(about 1 hour 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. Russian air experts have begun examining one of the flight recorders from a plane that crashed into the Black Sea on Sunday, killing 92 people.
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 flight data recorder was found underwater about a mile from the shore, and the authorities say it is in "satisfactory condition".
It was carrying artistes due to give a concert for Russian troops in Syria, and journalists and military personnel. At least 12 bodies have been also been recovered so far, along with numerous fragments of the plane.
The cause of the disaster is still being investigated but there is no suggestion of a terror attack. No cause has been established but terrorism is considered unlikely.
Numerous fragments of the plane have been found, including the plane's chassis and one of its engines, Russia's defence ministry said. On board the Tu-154 jet when it crashed were 64 members of the famed Alexandrov military music ensemble, as well as one of Russia's best-known humanitarian figures, Yelizaveta Glinka.
It was heading to Russia's air force base in Syria where the ensemble were due to perform at a New Year's concert.
The plane crashed soon after take-off from an airport near the city of Sochi, where it had landed for refuelling.The plane crashed soon after take-off from an airport near the city of Sochi, where it had landed for refuelling.
It disappeared from radar two minutes after taking off from 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 Adler airport at 05:25 (02:25 GMT) on Sunday.
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. Investigators hope the flight recorder could provide vital clues into why the military plane came down.
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.
A military spokesman said the recorder was in a "satisfactory condition".
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu described the crash as a "horrible tragedy" and said everything was being done to establish the cause.
It is believed that the location of a second black box has also been established and it could be recovered shortly.It is believed that the location of a second black box has also been established and it could be recovered shortly.
Transport Minister Maxim Sokolov reiterated that investigators were looking into whether pilot error or a technical fault might have brought down the aircraft. Russian officials say they an act of terror is not being considered as a possible cause. Instead they are looking into whether human error, a technical fault or a combination of factors were responsible.
A source close to the investigation told Interfax the plane may have been overloaded. A source close to the investigation told Interfax the plane might 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. Another anonymous source told the Tass news agency that for unknown reasons, the plane was trying to veer right seconds before the crash, flying at over 500 kph with its nose high up.
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.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 airlines in Russia but still used by the military. It was 33 years old.
Tupolev-154: Russian workhorseTupolev-154: Russian workhorse
Russia observed a day of mourning on Monday for the victims.Russia observed a day of mourning on Monday for the victims.
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 headquarters of the Alexandrov Ensemble 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 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 do not know what to say. Words cannot express my feelings. Sorrow is the only thing left."
What is the Alexandrov Ensemble?What is the Alexandrov Ensemble?