Private Russian jet crash near Minsk (Photo, video, being updated)

A Russian jet disappeared from radar screens on approach to the capital of Belarus. Marat Romashkin, the director general of S-Air company, was on board.

The luxurious Falcon plane was flying from Vnukovo airport in Moscow to Minsk-2 airport. The plane was unable to land at the first attempt and went around, then it disappeared from radar screens, RBK reports.

The BAe-125-800 jet belonged to S-Air company. According to preliminary information, five persons – three crew members and two passengers – we on board. The remains were found 4 kilometres from the runway, near the village of Drachkova (the Smalyavichy district, the Minsk region).

As Interfax learnt from the Federal Air Transport Agency (FATA), one passenger missed the flight.

According to unconfirmed information of RIA Novosti, the director general of S-Air company Marat Romashkin was on board.

S-Air company provides charter services to businessmen from all airports of the world.

The Interstate Aviation Committee and specialists from Federal Air Transport Agency are investigating the crash.

A FATA special commission will be formed to check the flight safety and airworthiness. The commission is also to inspect all planes belonging to S-Air.

As Radio Mayak reports, preliminary versions say the accident was caused by a human factor. Experts note the weather conditions were good enough to land the plane.

Passengers were going to Shangri La casino

According to the documents, received by air authorities of Belarus, company Storm-International was the inviting party.

As Interfax reports referring to a representative of the Belarusian air authorities, the jet was to arrive in the capital of Belarus on invitation of Shangri La company.

After the law on gambling adopted in Russia, many specialized companies have moved to the neighbouring countries, including Belarus.

Shangri La company has recently opened a casino in a Minsk upscale district. It is supposed that the passengers of the jet were going to the casino.

Photo by Yulia Darashkevich, «Nasha Niva»