The only survivor of the Russian airplane crash that killed 44 people most of them famous hockey players has given his first interview since the Sept. 7 disaster.

Alexander Sizov, 52, was the engineer for the plane that annihilated the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl hockey team as it failed on takeoff northeast of Moscow for a game in Minsk.

Sizov, in an interview with Russian reporters that was translated by the Moscow Times, said he knew there was problem when the plane did not take off instantly.

"I quickly realized that we were on unpaved ground," Sizov said."The plane began falling soon after takeoff, and it was clear that we were going to crash."

Sizov, yet hospitalized, spoke from his bed. He has been treated for harsh shock, burns and various fractures.

"On impact, everything began flying. Something strikes me hard, that's why my left side is all broken up," Sizov said. "Once in the water, I truthfully didn't see or notice anything around not the fires, not the plane, nothing."

The human death included 37 players and coaches from Russia, Canada, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Sweden, Slovakia, Belarus, Ukraine and the seven member crew. Lokomotiv winger Alexander Galimov at first survived the crash, but died of his injuries five days later.

Amongst the dead were Ex-New York Rangers defenseman Alexander Karpovtsev, a member of the 1994 Stanley Cup winning team, and Ex NHL superstar Pavol Demitra.

Much of the wreckage landed in a tributary of the Volga River. Police said Sizov badly burned one arm while trying to rescue a colleague.

Sizov helped check the plane before liftoff, had been flying in it for the past year, and said it was in "perfect" condition.

"A kind of miracle saved me," added Sizov, who is expected to be released from the hospital soon. "My family and my wife's love helped me stay alive."

Qantas' South American flights will shift from Buenos Aires in Argentina to the Santiago hub of Chile's flag carrier -- and oneworld partner airline -- LAN, starting on 26 March 2012. Tickets are currently on sale.

It's an inconvenience for travelers heading straight to Buenos Aires, but for just about everyone else heading for South America it's a bonus: there are more connections to other destinations on LAN from Santiago.

Qantas' flight QF27 to Santiago will fly on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, with return flight QF28 running on Saturdays, Mondays and Wednesdays.

Partner airline LAN previously flies six times a week Sydney to Santiago -- but via Auckland, adding time to the journey.