A Russian plane was engulfed in flames while making an emergency landing at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport on Sunday, with around 41 passengers feared dead.

A footage shared on social media showed Aeroflot's Sukhoi Superjet 100 airliner landing with thick black smoke being discharged from its body. Passengers were also seen being evacuated through an inflatable slide at the front.

78 people, including five crew members, were on board the plane, the Investigative Committee said in a statement.

According to the Moscow region's health minister, 37 people have survived while 11 others were injured.

"Flight Su-1492 took off on schedule at 6:02 pm (15H02 GMT)," said a statement from the airport.

"After the take-off, the crew reported an anomaly and decided to come back to the departure airport. At 6:30 pm, the aircraft made an emergency landing," it added.