Russia crash: Flight recorders 145;useless146;

Investigators examined flight recorders on Thursday from Russia8217;s mystery double air crash in which 89 people died, but one official doubted they would be of any use.

8216;8216;The tapes8230; did not show anything. Practically speaking they switched themselves off immediately. And so we failed to get any information,8217;8217; Vladimir Yakovlev, Russian President Vladimir Putin8217;s envoy said.

Investigators were deciphering flight recorders recovered from the wreckage but Yakovlev said checks indicated they would not yield anything and indicated he believed it was a terrorist act.

Meanwhile, Transport Minister Igor Levitin said that the crew of one plane hit the SOS button before their plane crashed, 8216;8216;but there was no voice confirmation8217;8217;. 8212; Reuters