Sunday, December 25, 2016

Russia: Military plane crashes, 92 killed

(Sochi) A Russian military Tu-154, carrying the famous Alexandrov military music ensemble on route to Syria in which to entertain the troops, crashed into the Black Sea minutes after a refueling stop at Sochi.


The plane was carrying soldiers, reporters and 64 members of the ensemble all of whom perished in the crash.


The Alexandrov Ensemble is an official army choir of the Russian armed forces. Founded during the Soviet era, the ensemble consists of a male choir, an orchestra, and a dance ensemble.

The Tu-154 is a three-engine medium-range narrow-body airliner designed in the mid-1960s.


Since 1968 there have been 39 fatal incidents involving the Tu-154. After this latest incident, it can be presumed that the Tu-154 will be taken out of Russian service.