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MH17 plane crash: Black boxes arrive in Britain MH17 plane crash: Black boxes arrive in Britain
(about 1 hour later)
The black boxes from downed Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 have arrived in the UK for analysis by air accident investigators, it has been confirmed.The black boxes from downed Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 have arrived in the UK for analysis by air accident investigators, it has been confirmed.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch said they had been delivered to its headquarters in Farnborough, Hampshire.The Air Accidents Investigation Branch said they had been delivered to its headquarters in Farnborough, Hampshire.
Experts will attempt to download data from the recorders following a request by authorities in the Netherlands - who are leading the investigation.Experts will attempt to download data from the recorders following a request by authorities in the Netherlands - who are leading the investigation.
Some 298 people, including 10 Britons, were killed in the crash on 17 July.Some 298 people, including 10 Britons, were killed in the crash on 17 July.
Western leaders have accused Russia of arming separatist rebels in Ukraine, and believe the rebels shot down the Boeing 777-200 airliner with a ground-to-air missile.Western leaders have accused Russia of arming separatist rebels in Ukraine, and believe the rebels shot down the Boeing 777-200 airliner with a ground-to-air missile.
But Russia has suggested Ukrainian government forces are to blame.But Russia has suggested Ukrainian government forces are to blame.
It comes as a group of MPs criticised the fact that UK licences to export arms to Russia had remained in place, despite the conflict in Ukraine.
Downing Street said the UK had not sold arms to Russia since March.
What are black boxes?
They are two devices - neither of them black - which are designed to survive a crash.
The flight data recorder records operating information from the plane's systems, storing a range of information such as altitude, airspeed, engine power and the pilot's use of the controls.
The cockpit voice recorder, as its name suggests, records sound in the cockpit and can be vital in determining what happened to a crashed aircraft.
Dutch investigatorsDutch investigators
The black boxes have been transported to the UK after pro-Russian rebels handed them to Malaysian officials this week.The black boxes have been transported to the UK after pro-Russian rebels handed them to Malaysian officials this week.
A spokesman for the Department for Transport said data from the two devices would be downloaded and sent back to Dutch investigators.A spokesman for the Department for Transport said data from the two devices would be downloaded and sent back to Dutch investigators.
One of the boxes records technical information relating to the performance of the aircraft and the other takes down sounds such as pilots' voices and, potentially, an explosion.One of the boxes records technical information relating to the performance of the aircraft and the other takes down sounds such as pilots' voices and, potentially, an explosion.
Depending on damage to the black boxes the process should take about two days, the spokesman said.Depending on damage to the black boxes the process should take about two days, the spokesman said.
Jonathan Sumberg, BBC transport reporter, said the British Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) was one of two "replay units" in Europe with the necessary equipment to listen to the cockpit voice recorder.Jonathan Sumberg, BBC transport reporter, said the British Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) was one of two "replay units" in Europe with the necessary equipment to listen to the cockpit voice recorder.
He said as soon as material was uploaded from the black boxes the information would be passed back to Dutch investigators. BBC reporter Theo Leggett said the black boxes would be taken to a sealed room at the AAIB headquarters in Farnborough where the data would be downloaded.
What are black boxes? He said the flight recorder could potentially confirm whether the plane had been hit by a missile.
They are two devices - neither of them black - which are designed to survive a crash. However, he said information from the cockpit voice recorder could be "relatively limited" as the impact of the explosion "would have occurred pretty much without warning".
The flight data recorder records operating information from the plane's systems, storing a range of information such as altitude, airspeed, engine power and the pilot's use of the controls. Former aircraft accident investigator, Tony Cable, also told the BBC it was unclear how much information would be recovered from the flight recorders.
The cockpit voice recorder, as its name suggests, records sound in the cockpit and can be vital in determining what happened to a crashed aircraft. "The cockpit voice recorder could conceivably record the sound of shrapnel hitting the aircraft from the missile, which is assumed to be the cause, possibly followed by the sound of the warhead then exploding," he said.
'Commercial use'
It comes as the first planes carrying victims' bodies from the crash site left Ukraine for the Netherlands, where experts will begin identifying them.It comes as the first planes carrying victims' bodies from the crash site left Ukraine for the Netherlands, where experts will begin identifying them.
The Dutch prime minister will meet the planes in Eindhoven, amid a national day of mourning for the victims.The Dutch prime minister will meet the planes in Eindhoven, amid a national day of mourning for the victims.
Meanwhile, MPs have been seeking urgent clarification on UK licences to export arms to Russia.
The cross-party Commons Committees on Arms Export Controls said permits covering the sale of sniper rifles, components for air-to-air missiles, anti-aircraft guns, rocket launchers and combat helicopters remained in force.
A total of 251 licences worth at least £132m remained in force, while 31 licences had been halted or suspended, it said.
The government said it was keeping all licences under review and the majority of licences that remained in place were for "commercial use".