The black box of Tu-154 found

Black box of crashed Tu-154 found in Black Sea – report

RT,

27 December, 2016

Divers have found one of the black boxes of the Russian Tu-154 military transport plane that crashed off the coast of Sochi on Sunday, a source told TASS. More victims’ bodies have also been recovered in the ongoing search operation.

“During search operations, one of the black boxes was found under the aircraft’s cabin. It will be taken out of the water soon,” the military source said, adding that two more flight recorders located in the tail section of the plane are yet to be located.

“One of the key theories for the crash at the moment is that foreign objects penetrated the engine,” the source said, adding that other possible causes, such as pilot error and technical failure are being investigated.

At least 12 bodies from the plane crash have been recovered so far, RIA Novosti reported, citing a police source.

The back box has been recovered from the sea and will be sent to Moscow, where it will be examined by specialists from Russia’s Defense Ministry, TASS reported, citing a law enforcement source.

The Russian Defense Ministry’s Tu-154 plane crashed into the Black Sea minutes after takeoff from Sochi’s airport, killing 92 people on board. The plane was en route to Latakia, Syria, transporting 64 members of the world-famous Alexandrov Ensemble army choir, humanitarian workers and several media crews to take part in Christmas and New Year’s celebrations.

READ MORE: Alexandrov choir sings 'God bless America' in tribute posted by Russian Embassy in US (VIDEO)

The head of the choir, conductor and composer Valery Khalilov, as well as revered Russian humanitarian and charity activist Elizaveta Glinka (popularly known as Dr. Liza) were among the victims of the crash.

Russia on Monday observed a nationwide day of mourning for the victims of the crash.