One of Russia's richest women dies as her private jet crashes and explodes in Germany (PHOTOS)
One of Russia's richest women has died in a light aircraft crash in Germany.
Airline tycoon Natalia Fileva, 55, the co-owner of Russian carrier S7, was on board a six-seater plane which crashed and exploded near Frankfurt today.
German police said there appeared to be three people on board the plane, including the pilot of the flight, which originated in France.
Two more people are believed to have died in a collision with a police vehicle which was responding to the scene.
Business publication Forbes.ru estimated Ms Fileva's fortune at $600million (£460million), calling her Russia's fourth-richest woman.
Her airline confirmed that Ms Fileva was on board the single-engine, six-seater Epic-LT aircraft when it crashed.
According to state-owned publication Russia Beyond, she and her husband Vladislav Filev have owned the company since the 1990s.
She was said to be the head of S7's board of directors, helping to make it Russia's largest domestic airline and a competitor to flag carrier Aeroflot.
'S7 Group team extends sincere and heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Fileva's family and loved ones,' the company said in a statement.
'The memory of her as an inspiring and sympathetic leader and a wonderful person will forever stay in the hearts of all S7 Group employees. It is an irreparable loss.'
Reports in Germany said Ms Fileva's father might also have been on board the plane, citing Russian media.
German police said the bodies were burned up in the crash and resulting fire, saying identification would take place over the coming week.
Based at Moscow's Domodedovo Airport, S7 is part of the Oneworld alliance and flies to 150 destinations in 35 countries.
Airline tycoon Natalia Fileva, 55, the co-owner of Russian carrier S7, was on board a six-seater plane which crashed and exploded near Frankfurt today.
German police said there appeared to be three people on board the plane, including the pilot of the flight, which originated in France.
Two more people are believed to have died in a collision with a police vehicle which was responding to the scene.
Her airline confirmed that Ms Fileva was on board the single-engine, six-seater Epic-LT aircraft when it crashed.
According to state-owned publication Russia Beyond, she and her husband Vladislav Filev have owned the company since the 1990s.
She was said to be the head of S7's board of directors, helping to make it Russia's largest domestic airline and a competitor to flag carrier Aeroflot.
'S7 Group team extends sincere and heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Fileva's family and loved ones,' the company said in a statement.
'The memory of her as an inspiring and sympathetic leader and a wonderful person will forever stay in the hearts of all S7 Group employees. It is an irreparable loss.'
Reports in Germany said Ms Fileva's father might also have been on board the plane, citing Russian media.
German police said the bodies were burned up in the crash and resulting fire, saying identification would take place over the coming week.
Based at Moscow's Domodedovo Airport, S7 is part of the Oneworld alliance and flies to 150 destinations in 35 countries.
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