Black Box Data from Egyptian Airplane Confirms Smoke in Cabin

Preliminary information from one of the black boxes of the Egyptian airplane that crashed over a month ago indicates the presence of smoke, high temperatures, and the possibility of a fire in the cabin. Previously, the aircraft's reporting and communication system had transmitted messages indicating that there was smoke in the airplane's toilet. A report on this matter suggested on May 21 that a fire might have occurred in the airplane before the crash. Both black boxes, which record data and conversations inside the cabin, were found weeks later in the Mediterranean Sea where the airplane crashed. Data from one black box has been retrieved after repairs, while the other, which is dedicated to recording conversations, is still being repaired. According to the Egyptian Aircraft Accident Investigation Committee, the initial data from the recording devices confirms the messages from the reporting and communication system. The committee has obtained signs of high temperatures and smoke in the cabin, marking the first clear evidence from inside the cabin that strengthens the likelihood of a fire occurring. The Egyptian committee emphasized that the existing information still requires further investigation and analysis to determine the cause and source of the accident. A specialized laboratory in France is also repairing the second black box; France is the origin of the Egyptian flight, and the airplane was manufactured by Airbus, much of which is located in France. Fifteen passengers were also from this country. Investigators from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board are also involved in the investigation. The airplane's engine is manufactured by the American company Pratt & Whitney. The repair of the second device includes the pilots' conversations, cabin warnings, and potential engine noise, which could significantly aid in determining the final outcome. None of the possibilities have been ruled out yet, but Reuters quoted current and former aviation officials as saying that the airplane likely suffered a technical problem. The Paris prosecutor's office opened a case on Monday regarding 'involuntary manslaughter' in this matter but stated that it is not looking for evidence of a terrorist attack in this incident. Last October, a Russian airplane with 224 passengers crashed in the skies over Egypt following a terrorist explosion, killing all on board. In March, a man who apparently was not mentally stable hijacked an EgyptAir plane using a fake explosive belt and took it to Cyprus. No one was harmed in that incident, and the man was arrested. However, these events have had devastating effects on Egypt's tourism industry, which has been in crisis since 2011, following the ousting of Hosni Mubarak and subsequent deadly internal events and tensions.