Data recorder of crashed EgyptAir MS804 successfully repaired

Egypt investigators revealed late Monday that the flight data recorder of the crashed EgyptAir flight MS804 had been successfully repaired in Paris.

The new development effectively allows investigators to analyse information that could offer answers to how and why the plane crashed into the Mediterranean.

According to a statement, investigators also said the plane’s cockpit voice recorder would also be worked on in the short term. The recorders according to the statement, were sent to France for the removal of salt deposits. They are expected back in Cairo once repairs are completed.

Memory unit of crashed #EgyptAir severely damaged according to investigators #EgyptAirMS804 https://t.co/Jo2qvMoay9

— africanews (@africanews) June 19, 2016

Paris prosecutor opens manslaughter probe into crash

Reuters reports that the Paris prosecutor’s office on Monday opened a manslaughter investigation into the crash of EgyptAir flight MS804, as the doomed jet’s black box memory chips were sent to France for repair.

“The Paris prosecutor has opened today a full investigation into involuntary homicide,” the prosecutor’s office told Reuters in a text message.

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

About the EgyptAir crash

The memory units were retrieved from the Mediterranean after a long and extensive search by the Egyptian authorities together with French experts. Egyptian authorities need information on the memory unit in order to ascertain the real reasons behind the plane crash.

The EgyptAir crashed on May 19 with 66 passengers on board while flying from Paris to Cairo.

The A320 aircraft with flight number MS804 which departed Paris at 23:09 (CEST) heading to Cairo was 10 miles inside Egyptian airspace when contact was lost with it, according to the Egyptian Civil Aviation Ministry.

Over the last weeks, debris of the plane and human parts have been retrieved until most recently when the black box, which contains crucial information was also found.

Among the passengers were 30 Egyptians, 15 French, a Briton, two Iraqis and a passenger each from Belgium, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Chad, Portugal, Algeria and Canada.