PETROZAVODSK, Russia, June 21 (UPI) -- A RusAir aircraft traveling from Moscow to Petrozavodsk crashed in Karelia province in northwestern Russia, killing 44 people on board, officials said Tuesday.
The Tu-134 passenger plane was less than a mile from Petrozavodsk's airport in rainy and foggy weather conditions when it crash landed on a highway Monday just before midnight, broke apart and burst into flames, RIA Novosti reported.
Eight of the 52 people on board -- 43 passengers and nine members of the crew -- survived and were taken to area hospitals, the Health Ministry said.
"Health Ministry doctors have completed their examination of the victims. According to preliminary information, six people will be transported to Moscow for further treatment," said Sofia Malyavina, assistant to the health and social development minister.
Among the victims were four foreigners and a family of four with dual Russian-U.S. citizenship, Russia's Emergencies Ministry said.
Pravda reported soccer referee Vladimir Pettai was among the victims.
Police and air crash investigators were at the scene, RIA Novosti said. The aircraft's flight data recorders have been recovered.
Russian Investigative Committee spokesman Vladimir Markin said all possible causes for the accident were being investigated. A criminal case into the crash was opened.
The aircraft began service in 1980 and had 40,000 hours of flying time, RIA Novosti said. It was taken out of commission in 2009 but was brought back into use by RusAir in March 2011.
