AVIATION/ BLACK BOXES RECOVERED FROM SOL FL5428 WRECKAGE

The Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder have both been recovered from the wreckage of SOL LINEAS AEREAS Flight 5428, the Saab 340A that crashed Wednesday evening near Los Menucos, Argentina. The crash claimed the lives of all 22 passengers and crew onboard. The wreckage site is in a private field in the village of Prahuaniyeu, Argentina, which is about 35km SE of Los Menucos. Officials on the scene said the impact of the crash disintegrated the airliner and that the wreckage area is about 500 feet by 330 feet in diameter. "The destruction is total," said one investigator. Reports say that nothing, other than the black boxes which were said to be in good condition, is a bigger than about 20 inches. Due to the condition of the wreckage, a federal Judge ordered that all human remains found at the site be transferred to Buenos Aires for identification. DNA will need to be used to identify all remains found.

THE LAST PHOTO OF THE SAAB 340A. IT WAS TAKEN

ON WEDNESDAY IN MENDOZA BY A PASSENGER ONBOARD

FLIGHT 5428 WHO GOT OFF THE AIRCRAFT IN MENDOZA.

 THE ACCIDENT SITE IN PRAHUANIYEU, ARGENTINA.

SOL Flight 5428 was on Domestic Service from Cordoba to Comodoro Rivadavia, Argentina, with scheduled stops in Mendoza and Neuquen. The Saab, registration LV-CEJ, completed the legs from Cordoba to Mendoza and Neuquen without incident and then departed Neuquen at 8:00pm with 19 passengers and 3 crew members onboard, for the 1 hour and 50 minute flight to Comodoro Rivadavia. Argentina's National Meterorologic Services had issued a signficant weather warning for the Comodoro Rivadavia zone, including the accident site, for severe icing between 7000 feet and 18000 feet and turbulence below 18000 feet. According to media reports, shortly before the crash, the crew had requested permission to descend due to icing. The crew then declared an emergency around 8:50pm and disappeared from radar moments later. Local residents report hearing an explosion and then seeing a "fireball in the sky". As soon as the aircraft disappeared from radar, controllers contacted Police in Los Menucos, who in turn were receiving calls from local residents about the explosion. Argentina's Accident Investigation Board is in charge of the investigation.