Authorities sifting through the crash site where Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 plunged from the sky -- killing all 157 people on board -- said they recovered the aircraft's so-called "black box" Monday, a critical discovery in the search for what caused the disaster. Forensic experts from Israel had arrived to help with the investigation, Ethiopian Airlines' spokesman Asrat Begashaw told reporters. Ethiopian Airlines said the senior pilot issued a distress call and was told to return but all contact was lost shortly afterward. The decision by Ethiopian Airlines to ground its fleet of the aircraft came after earlier announcements by aviation authorities in China and Indonesia to ground the aircraft. "We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the families and loved ones of the passengers and crew on board and stand ready to support the Ethiopian Airlines team," the company said.

Source: Ethiopian News March 11, 2019 13:51 UTC