2 russian planes down

[Nilsen]

anyone seen this yet

the russians have lost 2 passenger planes within 3 minutes

[BlueJ1]

just now ! ??

[BlueJ1]

watching news bar on tv now
one crashed South of Moscow
another went of radar

[GRUNHERZ]

Was just about to post this, looks bad.

[Nilsen]

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe/08/24/russia.planecrash/index.html

[BlueJ1]

wow

[BlueJ1]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,129919,00.html

[muckmaw]

Although it may be early, my condolences to those who had loved ones aboard.

Very odd situation.

[BigMan]

OMG, I hope Russians NUKE those muther 'squealing Chechens

[BlueJ1]

If were nuking people maybe they can send a stray to the middle east in a few hours. Just enough time to get everyone out.

(this statement was made if repercussions from nuclear attacks didnt exist)
And if it was terrorists I dont think the Ruskies will take it to well, and some think we over reacted.

[rpm]

source

Russian Plane Crashes, Another Disappears
Reports: One Russian Airliner Crashes, Second Disappears; Putin Orders Investigation

The Associated Press

MOSCOW Aug. 24, 2004 — A Russian airliner crashed and a second disappeared from radar about the same time Tuesday night after both planes took off from the Moscow airport, raising fears that terrorism was involved.
There was no word on survivors among the 89 people believed to be aboard the planes, which left from Moscow's Domodedovo airport, Russian news agencies reported.

President Vladimir Putin ordered an investigation by the nation's top intelligence agency, and security was tightened at airports across the country.

A Tu-134 airliner with 43 people aboard crashed in the Tula region, 125 miles south of Moscow, at about 10:56 p.m. Tuesday, Emergency Situations Ministry spokeswoman Marina Ryklina said. She said the plane was carrying 35 passengers and a crew of eight.

A Tu-154 with 46 people aboard lost contact with flight officials about three minutes later near Rostov-on-Don, about 600 miles south of Moscow, Ryklina said. The jet belonged to the Russian airline Sibir, which said the plane disappeared from radar screens at about 11 p.m. Tuesday, Interfax reported. There were 38 passengers and a crew of eight aboard.

Quoting an unnamed air traffic official in Moscow, ITAR-Tass said authorities were not ruling out terrorism. The agency also reported that witnesses said they saw an explosion before the Tula region crash.

In Washington, a senior U.S. State Department official said, "We are obviously concerned by the news. We're following developments closely and trying to determine the facts."

The U.S. Homeland Security Department was monitoring the situation but was not implementing any additional security measures in the United States, spokesman Brian Roehrkasse said.

Hate to hear this.

[Gunslinger]

one plane going down is bad....two is suspect.

of course it wouldnt surpise me.  Alot of countries stayed out of Iraq for fear of terrist reprisals.  As we've seen lately no country is imune to acts of terrorism, reguardless of political stance.

[rpm]

I heard on TV that a hijacking "silent alarm" signal was sent by the planes. Now to see which set of nutjobs takes credit.

[Gunslinger]

I wonder if they use the same IFF transponder codes that we do here.

I cant remember what they are but I know most FAA ASR8 class ATC radars (secondary beacon actualy) have codes for hijacking com failure ect.  Sorry didnt mean to get off subject.  This is pretty bad, kinda like a miny 911

[Thrawn]

"A hijacking signal was activated on the missing plane, according to the Interfax news agency which quoted an unnamed Russian official."

http://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2004/08/24/aircrash_040824.html