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Russia plane crash: Data recorder 'reveals faulty wing flaps to blame' Russia plane crash: Flight recorder 'reveals faulty wing flaps to blame'
(35 minutes later)
A flight data recorder from the Russian airliner that crashed into the Black Sea on Sunday has revealed that faulty flaps were to blame, Russian media say. The main flight recorder from the Russian jet that crashed into the Black Sea on Sunday has revealed that faulty flaps were to blame, Russian media say.
The flaps, panels on the wings that help lift an aircraft, did not open in sync, a source close to the probe told the private Interfax news agency.The flaps, panels on the wings that help lift an aircraft, did not open in sync, a source close to the probe told the private Interfax news agency.
The pro-Kremlin Life news website says this led the pilots to lose control as the plane was at a "critical angle".The pro-Kremlin Life news website says this led the pilots to lose control as the plane was at a "critical angle".
It also quoted the crew's last words, including: "The flaps, hell... !"It also quoted the crew's last words, including: "The flaps, hell... !"
The ageing Tu-154 airliner came down off the Russian coast with the loss of all 92 passengers and crew.The ageing Tu-154 airliner came down off the Russian coast with the loss of all 92 passengers and crew.
On board were 64 members of the famed Alexandrov military music ensemble, as well as one of Russia's best-known humanitarian figures, Yelizaveta Glinka.On board were 64 members of the famed Alexandrov military music ensemble, as well as one of Russia's best-known humanitarian figures, Yelizaveta Glinka.
The plane was heading to Russia's air force base in Syria where the choir was due to perform at a New Year's concert.The plane was heading to Russia's air force base in Syria where the choir was due to perform at a New Year's concert.
The latest findings allegedly come from a cockpit conversation stored on the flight's main "black box" data recorder, which was found underwater about a mile from the shore.The latest findings allegedly come from a cockpit conversation stored on the flight's main "black box" data recorder, which was found underwater about a mile from the shore.
An earlier audio recording, played on Russian media, said to be of the final conversation between air traffic controllers and the plane's crew, revealed no sign of difficulties.An earlier audio recording, played on Russian media, said to be of the final conversation between air traffic controllers and the plane's crew, revealed no sign of difficulties.
But Life, a new site which is close to the Russian security agencies, issued a transcript of the cockpit recording taken from the "black box", indicating the two pilots were taken by surprise.But Life, a new site which is close to the Russian security agencies, issued a transcript of the cockpit recording taken from the "black box", indicating the two pilots were taken by surprise.
Pilots' last words:Pilots' last words:
Piercing alarm soundsPiercing alarm sounds
Alarm sounds about dangerous proximity to the groundAlarm sounds about dangerous proximity to the ground
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 05:23 (02:23 GMT) on Sunday.It disappeared from radar two minutes after taking off from Adler airport at 05:23 (02:23 GMT) on Sunday.
According to the authorities, so far 15 bodies and 223 body fragments have been recovered from the crash site.According to the authorities, so far 15 bodies and 223 body fragments have been recovered from the crash site.
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.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.
The investigators have so far ruled out terrorism as a possibility, instead concentrating on human error, a technical fault or a combination of factors as being responsible.The investigators have so far ruled out terrorism as a possibility, instead concentrating on human error, a technical fault or a combination of factors as being responsible.
Tupolev-154: Russian workhorseTupolev-154: Russian workhorse
Mechanical v human: Why do planes crash?Mechanical v human: Why do planes crash?
What is the Alexandrov Ensemble?What is the Alexandrov Ensemble?