Moscow ( CNN ) -- Four people were killed Saturday and more than 43 others were injured , four critically , after a Russian passenger jet caught fire shortly before takeoff , authorities said . One of the engines aboard the Tu-154B-2 caught fire as the plane taxied toward the runway in Russia 's Siberian city of Surgut , Russia 's Investigation Committee said in a statement on its website . The blaze quickly spread throughout the cabin , forcing passengers to evacuate as the aircraft became engulfed in flames . After the passengers evacuated , the fuel tanks exploded , causing massive devastation to the aircraft , a spokeswoman for the local branch of the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry said on state television . Photos on state-run newswire RIA-Novosti 's website showed only the tail of the plane recognizable amid a huge plume of black smoke . The aircraft , which was destined for Moscow , about 1,800 miles away , was carrying 135 people -- 117 passengers and 18 crew members , the Russian Health and Social Development Ministry said . Earlier , it was reported that 124 people were on board . A popular Russian pop group , Na-Na , was on the flight . The plane was flown by Kogalymavia Airlines , according to RIA-Novosti . The aircraft 's last overhaul was in 1998 , according to Russian state television . A pre-flight check found it to be in good condition , state TV said . Authorities have launched a criminal investigation based on charges of violating transport and fire safety rules , the investigative committee said . CNN 's Maxim Tkachenko contributed to this report .
Russian pop music group was on flight . Plane 's fuel tanks explode after passengers evacuated , official says . Comment: Authorities launch a criminal investigation .