A helicopter's tail snapped off after striking the ground during landing, causing the aircraft to spin out of control and crash into a building before bursting into flames and killing five people.

Shocking footage shows the Ka-226 helicopter attempting to land when its tail hits the ground and breaks away, sending the aircraft spiralling.

The chopper then slams into a building and catches fire in the village of Achi-Su, in the Republic of Dagestan, Russia, on Friday, November 7.

The Russian Investigative Committee confirmed that of the seven people on board, four were killed instantly, while a fifth victim later died in hospital.

All five victims were employees of the Kizlyar Electromechanical Plant, including the company's deputy general director.

Aviation expert and flight instructor Dmitry Palovkin, who has 42 years of experience and 19,000 flight hours, analysed the footage and said sudden changes in wind direction may have caused the tail strike.

Palovkin said it was unlikely an experienced pilot would hit the ground tail-first unless environmental factors were involved.

He also suggested the pilot may not have realised the tail had broken off and tried to lift off again, believing he could regain control.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.