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Divers recover Airbus cockpit box Divers recover Airbus cockpit box
(1 day later)
French search divers have recovered the cockpit voice recorder from the Airbus plane that crashed in the Mediterranean killing all seven people on board. French search divers have recovered the cockpit voice recorder from the Airbus plane that crashed on Thursday in the Mediterranean killing seven people.
The black box was to be dried out in Paris before data was retrieved, said Air New Zealand's Ed Sims.The black box was to be dried out in Paris before data was retrieved, said Air New Zealand's Ed Sims.
Four of the airline's staff, one aviation official and two German pilots were on the plane. Only two bodies have been found off the Perpignan coast.Four of the airline's staff, one aviation official and two German pilots were on the plane. Only two bodies have been found off the Perpignan coast.
More than 40 divers have been searching the sea for bodies and wreckage.More than 40 divers have been searching the sea for bodies and wreckage.
Mr Sims said the recorder appeared to be in a good condition.Mr Sims said the recorder appeared to be in a good condition.
"This marks a significant step in the process of understanding what caused this tragic accident."This marks a significant step in the process of understanding what caused this tragic accident.
"French authorities continue to put every effort into the recovery operation.""French authorities continue to put every effort into the recovery operation."
Family visitFamily visit
They will continue to search for the flight data recorder, he added.They will continue to search for the flight data recorder, he added.
Airline officials and family members have travelled to France, as well as representatives from the airline's investigation unit, the New Zealand police, and New Zealand's Transport Accident Investigation Commission.Airline officials and family members have travelled to France, as well as representatives from the airline's investigation unit, the New Zealand police, and New Zealand's Transport Accident Investigation Commission.
The plane, built in 2005, was leased by Germany's XL Airways from Air New Zealand, and was undergoing checks after a refit before being handed back to Air New Zealand.The plane, built in 2005, was leased by Germany's XL Airways from Air New Zealand, and was undergoing checks after a refit before being handed back to Air New Zealand.
AFP news agency said some of the debris had drifted towards the Spanish coastline, about 20 miles (30km) from the crash site.AFP news agency said some of the debris had drifted towards the Spanish coastline, about 20 miles (30km) from the crash site.
Airbus said the plane had been built in 2005 and had accumulated about 7,000 hours of flying time.Airbus said the plane had been built in 2005 and had accumulated about 7,000 hours of flying time.
The A320 is a single-aisle aircraft that can seat about 150 passengers and is one of the most popular Airbus jets in use.The A320 is a single-aisle aircraft that can seat about 150 passengers and is one of the most popular Airbus jets in use.