12:00 am - Monday
Russia suspends flights of all naval planes of its Pacific fleet
Moscow, Russia - Following the accident of a Tupolev Tu-142M3 with 11 people on board
(WAPA) - Following Friday evening's accident of a Tupolev Tu-142M3 reconnaissance aircraft belonging to the Russian Navy, Moscow decided to suspend the flights of all the naval planes of its Pacific fleet, while a deep inquiry is underway to asses the cause of the crash that claimed the lives of 11 people, in the strait of Tatar, at the far east end of the country.
The accident, according to military sources, would have happened during a training mission and all people on board have likely died on impact. Debris from the airplane have been located, while recovery operations are underway for the aircraft's black boxes. According to a first report, the accident would have been caused by a technical failure.
"There is a life-raft on board the plane -a high officer told the news agency 'RIA Novosti'- that is fitted with a special device that gives out a signal in the case of an accident. At this moment, this search-and-rescue signal has not been detected". (Avionews)
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Direttore Clara Moschini