MOSCOW, October 22. /TASS/. The Russian Investigative Committee (IC) has opened a criminal case over Mi-8 helicopter’s crash landing in Yamal, the IC press service told TASS on Saturday.

"The Urals transport investigation department of the Investigative Committee opened a criminal case over Mi-8 helicopter crash in accordance with Part 3 Article 263 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ("Violation of security measures at movement and use of aircraft that led to death of two or more people by negligence")," IC said.

"Investigators consider three main causes of the crash — violation of flight security measures, equipment malfunction, unfavorable weather conditions," the press service said adding that "there is no main line of inquiry now."

Nineteen passengers and three crewmembers were onboard the Mi-8 helicopter of the Skol air company en route from Suzumskoye oil deposit in the Krasnoyarsk Krai to the settlement of Urengoy in the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous District. "According to preliminary reports, 19 people died at the spot from multiple injuries, and three people were taken to Novy Urengoy city hospital," IC said adding that the helicopter was damaged.