MOSCOW, May 20 (RAPSI) – A criminal case was opened after the crash of a military helicopter Mi-8 in the Moscow Region resulted in the death of three crew members, the Investigative Committee’s press service reported Wednesday.

The probe was launched over violation of flight rules led to grave consequences, the statement reads.

On the evening of May 19, the helicopter got off the airdrome in the Moscow Region’s town of Klin. About 25 minutes later, the crew failed to establish communication. During the search it was found that the helicopter crashed and its crew members died, according to investigators.