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Colombia plane crash: Airline boss could face manslaughter charge

Authorities investigating whether negligence caused a plane crash in Colombia that killed 71 people have detained the head of the airline.

Gustavo Vargas could face a manslaughter charge over the deaths which included nearly all of Brazil's Chapecoense football team.

Bolivian prosecutors are also questioning along a mechanic and a secretary who worked for LaMia airline.

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Colombia plane crash: Pilot said he had 'run out of fuel'

The pilot suggested the plane had run out of fuel. Credit: Reuters

A recording from the cockpit of the doomed Colombia flight showed its pilot saying he had run out of fuel.

Both black boxes from the stricken aircraft, which was carrying players and staff from Chapecoense football team, were recovered yesterday from the site of the crash.

Voice recordings showed the Bolivian Lamia plane's pilot claiming he had run out of fuel shortly before it crashed in the mountains, killing 71 people on board.

In the audiotape the pilot could be heard repeatedly requesting permission to land due to a "total electric failure" and lack of fuel, before slamming into a mountainside.

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