ARMENIAN DEFENSE MINISTER TO HEAD PLANE CRASH INVESTIGATION

RIA Novosti, Russia
May 3 2006

YEREVAN, May 3 (RIA Novosti) – Armenian Defense Minister Serzh Sargsyan
will head an investigation into a plane crash early Wednesday that
claimed 113 lives, Armenia’s presidential press service said.

An Armenian airlines Armavia A-320 airbus came down about six
kilometers off Russia’s Black Sea coast while heading for an airport
in Adler, which services the resort of Sochi. In all, 105 passengers
and eight crew members were on board.

The Emergencies Ministry said bad weather was the most likely cause of
the tragedy. Rescuers said they recovered 25 bodies from the wreckage
so far.