Zim >>
Good Read - Thank you, sir. Article continues with newer versions of Mig-29 having airframe service life of 4,000 hours, instead of 2,500 - but still not as long lived as OUR schtuff. *s*
From Wikipedia(fwiw) on the TU-154 ...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tupolev_Tu-154
With a cruising speed of 975 kilometres per hour (606 mph), the Tu-154 is one of the fastest civilian aircraft in use and has a range of 5,280 kilometres (3,280 mi). Capable of operating from unpaved and gravel airfields with only basic facilities, it was widely used in the extreme Arctic conditions of Russia's northern/eastern regions where other airliners were unable to operate. Originally designed for a 45,000 hour service life (18,000 cycles) but capable of 80,000 hours with upgrades, it is expected to continue in service until 2016, although noise regulations have restricted flights to western Europe and other regions.
Investigation still ongoing - apparently is fairly shallow waters - 1 black box recovered - Flaps ... bird strike, pilot error (I still seriously doubt this one) ...
https://www.rt.com/news/371973-last-words-black-box/
http://www.ibtimes.com/russian-plane-crash-latest-update-tu-154-was-trying-turn-crashing-black-sea-2465916
Reason for my interest dates back- Dad was the chief investigator for 5th Air Force in Pacific when we were stationed in Japan and little bro flew the F-111 and then the F-15 in Gulf War, so some familiar territory. 'Pilor Error' was never the favourite cause of a crash - but occurred quite frequently - BUT there were several other 'interesting' causes. *w*
UPDATE: Video shows bright flash in the sky.
http://www.kurir.rs/planeta/video-ovo-je-trenutak-kada-je-avion-pao-u-more-od-ekspolozije-noc-se-pretvorila-u-dan-clanak-2606315
Wikipedia (has links to stuff) - plane had less than 7,000 hours on frame, pilot had over 3000 flight hours (ie. very experienced) ....
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Russian_Defence_Ministry_Tupolev_Tu-154_crash
Russian Newscast: (in Russian (i think):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75KmDaUui_U
Altitude at time of problem: 500 meters, distance from airfield: 6,000 meters, debris field 1,500 meters.
Eyewitness (other report, supposedly on 'speedboat' in proximity) - said plane hit tail first on water @ high speed, nose up attitude. How the hell could he SEE - it was a dark night out there ?
My conclusion: Almost certainly a missile strike - the flash, flaps (for nose up), huge debris field, passengers had life vests on, airplane fairly young, very experienced pilot - looks like pilots were executing a sharp turn, with flaps - missile avoidance attempt ????
http://www.pravdareport.com/news/hotspots/disasters/27-12-2016/136519-tu_154_crash_black_sea-0/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75KmDaUui_U
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good ...
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