Russian passenger plane crashes in the Sinai

[T.Lex]

Same link now reporting that Downing Street (that's shorthand for the British government) seems to give credence to the theory that the explosion was inentional.

A Number 10 spokeswoman said: "While the investigation is still ongoing we cannot say categorically why the Russian jet crashed. But as more information has come to light we have become concerned that the plane may well have been brought down by an explosive device."

Seems like some new data point must have come to light for them to edge further out on that branch.

ETA:
Reuters now reporting

Reuters is reporting that a source close to the Egyptian investigation of the black boxes has said that the cause of the crash is looking more like an explosion - but it is unclear if it was caused by fuel or a bomb. ...

Additionally, a judiciary source in the investigation team told Al Masry Alyoum, an Egyptian newspaper, that "the cause of the crash is an explosion at the engine. The reason of the explosion will be determined on the examination of the crash site and the test of the bodies."

 

[T.Lex]

UK officials (confirmed by an unidentified US official) are stating it is "more likely than not" that a bomb brought down the plane. Also allowing that it could "strengthen" the case for RAF attacks on terrorists.

 

[T.Lex]

Photographs purport to show evidence of explosion from within the fuselage of the plane.

 

[HoughMade]

Hey, evidence! That's a nice change of pace.

 

[KG1]

We don't need no stinkin evidence.

 

[T.Lex]

Well, the UK is coming out pretty strong that it was a bomb in the hold.
Russian plane crash: UK suspects bomb was in hold - BBC News

UK investigators looking at what caused a Russian airliner to crash in Egypt believe a bomb was put in the hold prior to take-off, the BBC has learned.

...

It had received intelligence based on intercepted communications between militants in the Sinai Peninsula.

ETA:
Russia has decided to stop flying to/from Egypt, now, too.

 

[JollyMon]

Tagging for updates

 

[gtpilot21]

If it was a bomb on the plane how would not flying in that area change anything??

 

[T.Lex]

If it was a bomb on the plane how would not flying in that area change anything??

I think the emphasis is on not flying out of that airport. Assuming it was a bomb, there is someone there with the motive and opportunity to plant bombs on planes. A significant increase in physical security is now necessary to make sure it doesn't happen again.

And if it can happen at that airport, it could happen at other airports.

Flying over the Sinai itself is probably no more or less dangerous than it was a week ago. But, sometimes, politicians do things to show they're doing something, even if that something doesn't actually accomplish anything.

 

[LockStocksAndBarrel]

Don't worry. We're safe. TSA on the case at some foreign airports.

DHS increases security measures amid suspicions bomb downed Russian jet | Fox News

 

[KG1]

But, sometimes, politicians do things to show they're doing something, even if that something doesn't actually accomplish anything.

This sounds familiar.

 

[jblomenberg16]

Here is a good thread going over on ARFCOM. Some good info from some well versed folks, as well as some spitballing by amateurs like me. Then of course the usual antics of AR15.com general discussion.


Russian Airbus crashes in Sinai, no survivors - Page 16 - AR15.COM

 

[T.Lex]

US intel is convinced it was a bomb.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/152cd150-8535-11e5-9f8c-a8d619fa707c.html#axzz3r0vOUbWI

The cockpit voice recorder has a "noise" right before it stops, presumably an explosion.

 

[printcraft]

US intel is convinced it was a bomb.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/152cd150-8535-11e5-9f8c-a8d619fa707c.html#axzz3r0vOUbWI

The cockpit voice recorder has a "noise" right before it stops, presumably an explosion.

Couldn't get through the pay wall.
U.S. official: '99.9% certain' bomb on Metrojet flight - CNN.com

 

[T.Lex]

Couldn't get through the pay wall.
U.S. official: '99.9% certain' bomb on Metrojet flight - CNN.com

Wow. That's strange. I never do pay-to-read. Too many other sources out there. (I didn't post the CNN link because I prefer real news organizations.)

Well, back to the Beeb.
Russian plane crash in Sinai: the fallout - BBC News

If it emerges, as many now suspect, that Islamic State militants planted a bomb on board the Russian plane, it opens a whole new front in the growing international campaign against the jihadist group.
Officials will need to know where those responsible acquired the know how to carry out such an attack. Was it conceived, planned and executed entirely within the lawless boundaries of the Sinai Peninsula, or did it draw on expertise from elsewhere?
IS has never brought down a plane before, so some are wondering whether the group reached out to its arch rival, al-Qaeda. If so, this would represent another troubling development.
For all the criticism surrounding last week's sudden British decision to suspend flights, the fact that both the Russians and the Egyptians now appear to agree that terrorism was the most likely cause could inject a degree of common purpose into the international community's fractured efforts to confront IS.

 

[mrjarrell]

The Russians are now saying they've found traces of explosives and think it was a bomb that brought down the flight.

Russia plane crash: 'Terror act' downed A321 over Egypt's Sinai - BBC News

 

[ArcadiaGP]

New ISIS magazine has picture allegedly showing explosive that brought down Russian flight

They claim that the bomb hidden in a soda can was meant to be used against a Western aircraft but the plan "was changed to a Russian plane"

 

[jblomenberg16]

New ISIS magazine has picture allegedly showing explosive that brought down Russian flight

They claim that the bomb hidden in a soda can was meant to be used against a Western aircraft but the plan "was changed to a Russian plane"

That shows a detonator (blasting cap) and trigger (toggle switch) which to me implies human activation.

 

[printcraft]

Looks like IS is trying to claim responsibility for the crash. I don't think they had anything to do with it.

Oops.

 

[T.Lex]

That shows a detonator (blasting cap) and trigger (toggle switch) which to me implies human activation.

Yeah, the pic I saw was pretty crude. But, if they could get the can into the passenger compartment with explosive material in it, the other things would just look like wire and a switch. Placed against the fuselage, particularly at a point where there was stress anyway, like a bulkhead, it would probably be enough.