A plane has crash-landed in Russia after catching fire, reports say, leaving 18 people injured – including three children.

Reports on state news agency TASS suggested one wing clipped the ground as the plane landed in bad weather.

The plane aborted several failed landing attempts before the pilot told them he would touchdown, said rescued passengers.
“The plane attempted to land several times, unsuccessfully, and finally the pilot said we were landing,” said a couple on board the stricken Boeing.
“This wasn’t a success either. We landed, everyone started clapping – and immediately the left side of the plane caught fire,” said one.
“We were sitting right next to emergency exit.
“Everything happened in a blink of an eye, so, so fast.”
A male passenger said: “Everything happened very quick.
“The emergency exits were open, but there were no chutes people were jumping onto both wings to escape.
A woman said: “It was rain and thunderstorm outside, and people were just jumping down from 5 or 6 metres.”
A spokesman for Russia’s transport department said: “A criminal investigation has been opened into the emergency landing… on suspicion of inadequate services with a risk to clients’ health.”
Utair said it was investigating the incident together with aviation authorities.
A Sochi Airport spokesman said there were no delays, planes were taking off and landing as usual.

source: dailystar.co.uk