Russia's transport supervisor has ordered the suspension of Yakovlev Yak-42 services in the country pending precautionary checks following the fatal crash at Yaroslavl.

Rostransnadzor said there would be a "one time inspection" of the fleet including the type's fuel systems and engines. Yak-42 aircraft are powered by Lotarev D-36 turbofans.

There are 16 airlines in Russia operating 57 of the type, Rostransnadzor added. The organisation also said it would check aircraft maintenance, compliance with flight preparation and other aspects of flight safety at Yaroslavl Tunoshna airport.

Thirty-seven passengers and eight crew members were on board the aircraft, which came down about 1.4nm (2.5km) northwest of the airport after departing for Minsk. The aircraft broke up and part of the fuselage was submerged in water.

Yak-42 crash
 © Russian emergencies ministry

Russia's health ministry said it had received two seriously-injured occupants from the jet at a municipal facility.

The accident occurred at about 16:05. Russia's emergency situations ministry said that it had sent an Ilyushin Il-76 with response personnel to the scene of the crash, and added that lighting equipment was being set up to enable investigators to work in darkness.

Russia's general prosecutor's office said it would ascertain the compliance of various parties with air safety regulations.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news