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No malfunction in runway, radar work in Falcon air crash in Vnukovo — aviation watchdog

The Interstate Aviation Committee commission on the investigation of the crash completed the airfield stage of the work

MOSCOW, November 14. /TASS/. Air traffic controllers at Vnukovo Airport had no objections to the work of the airfield radar when the Falcon jet carrying Total CEO Christophe de Margerie crashed, the Interstate Aviation Committee said on Friday.

The runway lighting was in good order, the committee said. The visibility at the crash moment was about 1,000 metres, the commission said.

The IAC commission on the investigation of the crash completed the airfield stage of the work. It did not reveal any malfunction in the jet’s engines before the Falcon collided with the snowplough.

The commission continues studying recorder information and estimate flight and technical documentation, the IAC report said.

Snowplough operator charged

Official charges have been pressed against Vladimir Martynenko, the operator of a snowplowgh that caused a tragic crash of a private jet in the Moscow’s capital last week, Vladimir Markin, a spokesman for the Russian Investigative Committee, said on October 31.

Total CEO Christophe de Margerie, as well as three crew members, died in the crash.

Markin said that the prosecution charged Martynenko with violation of safety regulations, which eventually led to death of two or more people.

Same charges had earlier been brought against the chief engineer of Vnukovo airport, service flight controller and trainee flight controller.

Martynenko, who emerged unhurt from the incident, was reportedly under alcoholic influence, while he acknowledged that he had a cup of coffee with cognac in it before his shift.