Russia's Emergencies Ministry/Handout via REUTERS
- A plane carrying 20 parachutists and two crew members crashed when an engine failed after takeoff.
- The pilots started an emergency landing but hit a vehicle beside the runway, overturning the plane.
- 16 people have died in the crash, with six in critical condition.
A Russian plane carrying parachute jumpers crashed after takeoff early on October 10th, killing 16 people and injuring six.
The plane got to a height of 70 meters before pilots reported a failure in the left engine.
During an attempted emergency landing near the city of Menzelinsk, the wing of the plane hit a Gazelle vehicle, a minivan vehicle, flipping the plane, Tatarstan's governor Rustam Minnikhanov said.
Onboard the aircraft were 22 people, including 20 parachutists. The 6 people who survived the crash are in serious condition, the Health Ministry confirmed, according to Reuters.
The plane was a Let L-410 Turbolet twin-engine short-range transport aircraft was owned by an aeroclub in the city.
It declined Reuter's offer to comment, citing continuing investigations into the case.
The Investigative Committee, which probes serious crimes, said it had opened a criminal investigation into a suspected violation of safety regulations.
This story is developing, please check back for updates.