EgyptAir MS804 black box reveals likely crash cause

THE black box from EgyptAir flight MS804 has revealed what probably brought down the doomed passenger plane.

By David Trayner

Fire broke out on the Airbus A321 before it crashed into the Mediterranean – killing all 66 people on board – initial analysis of its flight data recorder suggests.

Smoke was detected in the aircraft’s toilet and and electronics before last month's tragedy.

Wreckage from the plane’s front section shows signs of high temperature damage and soot – consistent with a fire – investigators said.

FIRE: The aeroplane suffered an on board fire before it crashed into the sea

The cause of any fire is yet to be determined.

Investigators have not ruled out terrorism.

But aviation experts increasingly believe it was caused by a technical fault rather than sabotage.

No terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the crash.

A series of automatic warnings sent from the plane to the airline operator on the ground in the moments before the crash – called as “SCARS” messages – also pointed to smoke in the bathroom and electronics, known as “avionics”.

BLACK BOXES: The flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder

A spokesman for Egypt's aircraft accident investigation committee said: "Preliminary information shows that the entire flight is recorded on the flight data recorder from its take-off from Charles de Gaulle airport until the recording stopped at an altitude of 37,000 feet – where the accident occurred.

"Recorded data is showing consistency with SCARS messages of lavatory and avionics smoke.”

A second black box – the cockpit voice recorder – is still being repaired in France.

If intact, the cockpit recorder should reveal pilot conversations and any cockpit alarms – as well as other clues such as engine noise.

A search vessel is still searching the Med for human remains.