An aircraft carrying Russian ice hockey team Lokomotiv has crashed near the central city of Yaroslavl.

As many as 43 people are believed to have been killed in the incident, with the plane reportedly bursting into flames moments after takeoff.

Canadian coach, Brad McKinnon, and Swedish goalie Stefan Liv, are among the dead, along with many Russian players.

The plane had been on route to Belarus for the first game of the domestic season.

Russian player Alexander Galimov survived the crash with 80 per cent burns along with a member of the crew.

They are believed to be the only survivors.

Russian reports suggest the jet may have struck a radio mast after the Yak-42 jet failed to gain height.