Based on the evidence we have seen thus far -- the flight data recorder, the cockpit voice recorder, radar data and the small bits of wreckage that have been recovered -- we have found, so far, no sign of a mechanical or weather-related event that could have caused this accident,
because of the quality of the cockpit voice recorder and the extensive information contained on the flight data recorder, I am confident that many of the questions we have, you have, and the individuals following this investigation have around the world have, will be answered.
I have asked the United States Navy to provide us with options on how we should proceed in retrieving -- if we are unsuccessful -- in retrieving the cockpit voice recorder by tomorrow evening,
We are concentrating our efforts on determining from the evidence, including the cockpit voice recorder, whether or not this investigation will remain under the leadership of the National Transportation Safety Board,
We will determine what other assets might increase our chances for successfully recovering the cockpit voice recorder and what the next step should be once that is accomplished.