Crash report: pilot wanted to turn back

GLENDALE ? An Armenian jetliner crashed in the Black Sea Tuesday, killing all 113 passengers on board.

Armavia Airlines Flight 967 was enroute to the Russian resort city of Sochi from the Armenian capital of Yerevan when it went down in stormy weather at about 2:15 a.m., Russian time Tuesday.

The dead include six children and 28 passengers from Russia and other former Soviet republics.

The rest of the victims were citizens of Armenia, said Bianca Manoukian, general manager of Horizon Armenian TV, based in Glendale.

“There was nobody from here,” said Manoukian, who had been covering the crash since late Tuesday. She also spoke with the chief of the aviation department at the Armenian transportation ministry, which is investigating the accident.

“He said the pilot wanted to go back to Yerevan, but the Georgian air traffic control told them to go ahead and come in” to Sochi, Manoukian said. “They were then told to circle, and during their second time circling they crashed.”

She added that none of the bodies recovered so far had life preservers on, suggesting the plane made a very rapid descent before crashing.

Armavia has a hotline for local residents concerned about family or friends who may have been aboard the plane. The number is 011 (37410) 28-63-56. Callers should speak Armenian or Russian.

Rep. David Dreier, who represents La Cañada Flintridge and parts of La Crescenta, expressed his condolences to the Armenian people on Wednesday.

“I know what an incredibly difficult time this is for all of Armenia and the friends and family of those whose lives were tragically cut short,” Dreier said. “Because of our strong ties, this is a particularly sad loss for both our countries. I hope that the ongoing rescue efforts are successful so that all of the victims may be properly laid to rest.”