Russian officials confirmed the recovery of a flight data recorder from the Tupolev 154 that crashed in the Black Sea on December 25, killing all 92 people on board. The aircraft, operated by Russia’s air force, was carrying the Alexandrov military choir and orchestra to perform for Russian forces serving in Syria. It crashed at around 5:25 a.m. local time soon after takeoff from the Russian city of Sochi, where it had refueled.
The Tu-154B-2 model was built in 1983 and is one of just a few remaining examples of the type powered by Kuznetsov NK-8 engines. This version of the twinjet, which is no longer in airline service, was soon replaced by the Tu-154M model with its Soloviev D-30KP turbofans.
Investigators said they have identified the location of the aircraft’s cockpit voice recorder. In a statement on December 27, they indicated that possible technical failures and human error are the main focus of the investigation, with terrorism not being viewed as the likely cause of the accident.