AVIATION/ AIRBLUE FL202 BLACK BOXES FOUND

Investigators scouring the wreckage today of Pakistan's worst-ever air disaster, have found the plane's flight recorders. Hopes were high that the black boxes would soon be found after investigators found the tail of the airliner buried in mud and burnt trees yesterday. The recorders, which were located in the tail section, will now be sent overseas for analysis. It is hoped the black boxes will provide clues as to what caused AIRBLUE Flight 202, an Airbus A321, to crash as it was about to land in the capital Islamabad on Wednesday, killing all 152 passengers and crew onboard. Flight 202, on Domestic Service from Karachi, went down in heavy monsoon rain and poor visibility. The plane was flying at an extremely low altitude before crashing into the Margalla hills, north of the capital. At another press conference, the Civil Aviation Authority director general said that conversation between the Pilot of Flight 202 and air traffic control staff was normal and there was no panic and distress during the landing. However, he said, the investigation team would look into all aspects, including sabotage, ground fire and material failure. In his 1st public appearance after the crash, the owner of AirBlue put the entire responsibility of the disaster on the Pilot and claimed that he was not stopped by the control tower of Benazir Bhutto Airport from landing the plane. He said there was no technical fault in the airliner. “The landing decision is solely taken by the Pilot and, therefore, no other person or authority can be blamed for the plane’s being taken to the Margalla Hills instead of landing at the Airport,” he said. Brushing aside rumours that the Pilot was suffering from fatigue, he said the Pilot had rested for 36 hours before the flight. When asked about reports that the Airline had not followed international safety rules, he said AirBlue had never violated any international rules.