Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

No survivors in Indonesia plane crash

Updated at 4:43 pm on 11 May 2012

A rescue team has found bodies but no survivors in the wreckage of a Russian aircraft that crashed in Indonesia.

The Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft disappeared in a mountainous area south of the capital Jakarta on Wednesday, while on a demonstration flight near Indonesia's dormant Mount Salak volcano.

A helicopter spotted debris on the side of the 2200 metre mountain.

Indonesia's search and rescue agency said radio contact with the plane was lost on Wednesday after the jet descended to 1800 metres.

A transport ministry spokesperson said the plane carried out a first flight at about midday and returned to the airport.

The aircraft was carrying eight crew and 42 passengers, including Indonesian businessmen, Russian embassy officials and journalists.

The aircraft is Russia's first all-new passenger jet since the fall of the Soviet Union.

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