Hydraulic Failure Reported in Crash
A Russian passenger plane’s hydraulic system reportedly failed before it crashed Monday in Siberia, killing all 120 people aboard. Initial reports had put the death toll at 116.
The Soviet-made Tu-154 had just taken off from Irkutsk on a flight to Moscow, 2,500 miles to the west, when one of its three engines failed. The plane crashed in a field seven miles outside Irkutsk after the engine caught fire. The Itar-Tass news agency said the hydraulic system failed before the engine caught fire, but it was not clear if the two problems were linked.
Authorities said the jet carried nine crew members and 111 passengers, including 17 foreigners. Russian television said a farmer was killed on the ground and Itar-Tass said a milkmaid was injured, but officials said they were unaware of any casualties on the ground.
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