Mystery of EgyptAir MS804 crash finally set to be solved – as manslaughter probe opens

THE black box from EgyptAir flight MS804 will finally reveal why the doomed plane crashed into the Mediterranean – after experts managed to fix it.

By David Trayner

INVESTIGATION: The flight recorder could hold the key to EgyptAir MS804's fate

The flight data recorder was damaged when the Airbus A321 crashed into the Med – killing all 66 people on board – last month.

But experts have managed to remove sea salt deposits from the recorder’s delicate computer chips.

The prosecutor’s office in Paris, France – from where the jet took off for its final flight to Cairo – has opened an manslaughter probe into the tragedy.

Investigators are not looking into terrorism – yet.

BOX SET: Flight recorders from EgyptAir MS804

The black box will be key to revealing why the aircraft suddenly plunged into the sea just before it was due to land in the Egyptian capital.

The plane crashed in the deepest part of the Med and its flight data and cockpit voice recorders – recovered last week – were badly damaged.

Next, the investigators will start trying to remove more salt deposits from the cockpit voice recorder – which will give a window into the final moments as the pilot and co-pilot presumably battled to save the jet.

Once cleaned, both recorders will be sent back to Cairo for analysis.

Many experts have assumed terrorists were behind the disaster.

Jihadi terrorists affiliated with Islamic State claimed responsibility for downing Russian MetroJet flight over Sinai, Egypt.

But no group has claimed responsibility for the EgyptAir crash.

The prosecutor’s office said: “The Paris prosecutor has opened today a full investigation into involuntary homicide.”

Involuntary homicide is an alternative term for manslaughter.

The prosecutor said it was not looking into terrorism as a possible cause of the crash at this stage.