MOSCOW. Oct 30 (Interfax) - A criminal case has been opened concerning the Ka-52 helicopter crash that occurred in the Moscow district of Zhulebino on Tuesday. The criminal case was opened based on violations of the safety regulations governing the operation of air transport.

"A criminal case has been opened based on evidence of a crime enshrined by Part 1 of Article 263 of the Russian Criminal Code (violation of the safety rules governing the operation of air transport resulting in significant damage) concerning the crash of the Ka-52 Alligator helicopter," Tatyana Morozova, a official with the Investigations Committee's Department for Moscow on Transport, told Interfax.

A group of investigators has been formed to investigate the case. The investigators have already inspected the accident site and are now studying the flight records, fuel samples, documents for the helicopter and are questioning witnesses, she said.

"Another inspection of the accident site is expected to be conducted in the nearest future. It will involve specialists from the Industry and Trade Ministry. Forensic tests on the fuel samples and other investigative actions aimed at establishing all circumstances of this crash will be performed," Morozova said.

The investigation is under the control of the administration of the Investigations Department, Morozova said.

Morozova said, citing information obtained from the investigators, that "the helicopter crashed while landing at 3:27 p.m. on October 29."

"The Russian Defense Ministry, the owner of the helicopter, has suffered damage in an amount of 800 million rubles," Morozova said.

The two crewmembers were hospitalized in Moscow Central Clinical Hospital