A spokesman for Russia's air transportation agency told RIA Novosti on Monday he saw "no link" between two major accidents which hit a Tu-204 plane in the past 24 hours.
The plane left Domodedovo for the Egyptian resort city of Hurghada at 4:00 a.m. (01:00 GMT) on Sunday, but had to return to Moscow two hours later after smoke was detected in the cabin. Later, it resumed its flight.
The same plane, with only eight crew members onboard, made a belly landing in woodland near Moscow's Domodedovo Airport at 3:45 Moscow time [0:45 GMT] on Monday, while returning from Egypt.
"These events are in no way connected," the spokesman said.
Two crew members received serious head injuries and multiple fractures, while two others were taken to hospital in a satisfactory condition. The four remaining crew members are being treated for minor injuries in Domodedovo's medical center.
A committee has been set up to investigate the cause of the accident.
MOSCOW, March 22 (RIA Novosti)
