A supersonic bomber crashed during a test flight in central Russia today, killing all four crewmen.
The 1,250 mph Tu-160 Blackjack, designed to deliver nuclear and conventional weapons deep into enemy territory, crashed in the Saratov region, about 450 miles south-east of Moscow.
No weapons were on board, said officials who blamed the the crash on engineproblems. The plane was being tested following the replacement of one of itsengines.
"Just before the crash at 0730 BST, the crew informed ground control of anengine fire," an official said. "After that, contact with the pilots was cutoff and the bomber crashed to the ground at approximately 0800 BST."
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AP