Associated Press: Pilot error, technical fault behind Russia crash

Published Dec. 26, 2016 at 9:32 am

A woman lays flowers at the home stage building of the Alexandrov Ensemble (The Red Army Choir), in Moscow, on December 25, 2016, after a Russian military plane which included dozens of Red Army Choir members crashed. The Russian military plane crashed on its way to Syria on December 25, with no sign of survivors among the 92 onboard, who included dozens of Red Army Choir members heading to celebrate the New Year with troops. Russia's defence ministry said a body had been recovered from the Black Sea. / AFP PHOTO / Alexander UTKIN

Photo by AFP

MOSCOW – The Latest on the crash of a Russian aircraft with 92 people on board en route to Russia’s air base in Syria (all times local):

9 a.m.

Russian Transport Minister Maxim Sokolov says that pilot error or a technical fault were likely to blame for Dec. 25 crash of a Russian Tu-154 carrying 92 passengers and crew. The military plane crashed into the Black Sea on its way from the southern Russian city of Sochi to Syria. Among its passengers were members of the world-famous Russian army choir who planned to perform at a New Year’s concert at the Russian military base in Syria.