Two recorders from Tupolev plane that crashed into Black Sea can be analyzed - source
MOSCOW. Dec 27 (Interfax) - The condition of two flight recorders from the Russian Defense Ministry's Tupolev Tu-154 plane, which crashed into the Black Sea on Sunday, is fairly good, and their contents can well be analyzed, a source at the crisis center dealing with the disaster told Interfax on condition of anonymity.
"Preliminarily, based on the two cockpit voice recorders' visual inspection using technical equipment, their condition is acceptable. They can be analyzed," the source said.
Experts using special equipment have yet to determine the condition of the magnetic tapes bearing recordings of the cockpit conversations, he said.
"The recorders are placed within a protective case, which preserves the data intact for 36 hours. This is a guaranteed amount of time, provided that they [the cases] have no mechanical damage. During this time, seawater poses no threat to them," the source said.
In some known instances, information in cockpit voice recorders remained intact for longer periods of time.