- Title: Russia says does not rule out 'terrorist act' in Black Sea jet crash
- Date: 29th December 2016
- Summary: MOSCOW, RUSSIA (DECEMBER 29, 2016) (REUTERS) NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIA AIR FORCE HEAD OF FLIGHT SAFETY, SERGEI BAINETOV, SAYING: "After preliminary de-coding of the first recorder we came to a conclusion that there was no terror attack... at least there was no explosion on board. This I can say for sure. But terrorist act is not only a blast, there could be other reasons. But for now we do not rule out this version during investigation." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIA AIR FORCE HEAD OF FLIGHT SAFETY, SERGEI BAINETOV, SAYING: "Apart from an explosion on board there could have been some kind of mechanical impact. (REPORTER ASKING OFF-CAMERA 'OF WHAT KIND?') Of any kind. Act of terror does not have to be a blast. So, I repeat, we do not rule out any of these versions for now." MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIA AIR FORCE HEAD OF FLIGHT SAFETY, SERGEI BAINETOV, SAYING: "The radio exchange was very brief, extremely brief. You can imagine - this emergency situation had been developing during 10 seconds only. What one can say within 10 seconds? So for now I cannot tell you anything about flaps or other things that we've heard. Everything was quite normal, but the analysis of one phrase said by the commander tell us that an emergency situation started to develop. It does not tell us anything else right now." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIA AIR FORCE HEAD OF FLIGHT SAFETY, SERGEI BAINETOV, SAYING: "It is clear that now until the initial conclusions by the (investigative) commission these planes are grounded. I repeat - till the first conclusions by the commission." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIA AIR FORCE HEAD OF FLIGHT SAFETY, SERGEI BAINETOV, SAYING: "The planes that perform flights are technically ready, maintenance checks and repairs are being performed on them according to the schedule. So I think that even after this air accident these planes (TU-154) will still be used." MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIA AIR FORCE HEAD OF FLIGHT SAFETY, SERGEI BAINETOV, SAYING: "In order to thoroughly study all parameters of engine and aircraft's systems' performance as a whole, to analyse the entire flight, we need at least 10 days, no less. And we hope to make final conclusions about the reasons of the air accident not earlier than in 30 days." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS
- Embargoed: 13th January 2017 11:59
- Keywords: Russia airplane crash Sochi investigation explosion
- Location: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
- City: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
- Country: Russia
- Topics: Air Accidents,Disaster/Accidents
- Reuters ID: LVA0015EXS1MV
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT IS QUALITY VERSION OF 4116 WITH ADDITIONAL SOUNDBITES
Russian authorities said on Thursday (December 29) they had not ruled out that a "terrorist act" could have caused the crash of the military plane into the Black Sea on Sunday (December 25), but said it was only one of the theories under consideration.
"After preliminary de-coding of the first recorder we came to a conclusion that there was no terror attack... at least there was no explosion on board. This I can say for sure. But terrorist act is not only a blast, there could be other reasons. But for now we do not rule out this version during investigation," said Sergei Bainetov, the Russian Air Force's head of flight safety who chairs a government commission investigating the crash, which killed 92 people.
He also said it would take at least 30 days to establish the cause of the catastrophe.
Bainetov added that all TU-154 planes were be grounded until commission announces investigation results, but added that most likely they will be allowed to fly in the future.
"The planes that perform flights are technically ready, maintenance checks and repairs are being performed on them according to the schedule. So I think that even after this air accident these planes (TU-154) will still be used," Bainetov said.
The plane, a Tupolev-154 belonging to the Defence Ministry, disappeared from radar screens two minutes after taking off from Sochi in southern Russia, killing dozens of Red Army Choir singers and dancers en route to Syria to entertain Russian troops in the run-up to the New Year. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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