Russian aviation authorities are investigating how a corporate jet hit a snowplough and crashed on take-off from Moscow’s Vnukovo airport, killing the head of French oil group Total and three crew members.
The authorities have blamed the driver of the vehicle, which appears to have encroached on to the runway, saying he was drunk. However, this has been denied by lawyers acting for the driver.
Christophe de Margerie Investigators said they had opened criminal proceedings and were looking at other possible causes of the accident which killed Christophe de Margerie on Monday.
They are also looking at the role played by air traffic controllers, the pilots and the weather conditions at the time.
Vnukovo is Moscow’s third airport and one of Europe’s busiest for corporate jets.
