Investigation Summary
The accident occurred at 23:57 local time during a period of snow and restricted visibility. The flight, operated by Unijet, was cleared for take-off from Runway 06. Simultaneously, a convoy of snow-clearing vehicles was operating on the airfield. One snow plow, driven by Vladimir Martynenko, became separated from the convoy and entered the active runway without authorization. The flight crew of the Falcon 50 noticed the vehicle late in their take-off roll but were unable to avoid the collision. The aircraft's right wing and landing gear struck the plow, leading to a catastrophic loss of control. The jet flipped over and came to rest on the grass adjacent to the runway. Post-crash toxicology reports confirmed the snow plow driver had a blood alcohol level of 0.6 promille. Furthermore, the investigation highlighted systemic failures in airport ground movement control, including the failure of controllers to monitor the position of ground vehicles via radar and the lack of effective communication between the aerodrome service and the tower.
Final Conclusions
The Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC) concluded that the primary cause was the unauthorized entry of a snow plow onto the active runway due to the driver's loss of orientation, exacerbated by his state of alcohol intoxication. Contributing factors included the lack of proper supervision by the aerodrome service lead engineer, the failure of air traffic controllers to utilize available radar equipment to detect the incursion, and deficiencies in the airport's safety management system regarding ground vehicle operations.
Video Analysis
Крушение французского самолёта "Фалкон-50 EX" в аэропорту Внуково — Detailed investigation and reconstruction of the Falcon 50 crash at Vnukovo Airport on October 20, 2014, which resulted in the death of Total CEO Christophe de Margerie.
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Airframe & Maintenance
Crew Experience
Captain
French citizen, experienced business jet pilot.
First Officer
French citizen.
Systems & Failure Modes
Surface Movement Radar
Equipment intended to help controllers track aircraft and vehicles on the ground; investigators found it was not effectively monitored during the incursion.
Ground Vehicle Communication
The radio and procedural links between the snow-clearing convoy and the tower, which failed to prevent the driver from straying.
Interesting Facts
- 01The snow plow driver was found to have a blood alcohol level of 0.6 promille.
- 02The aircraft was a Dassault Falcon 50EX, manufacturer serial number (MSN) 348, owned by Sanofi-Aventis Groupe SA.
- 03The collision occurred in darkness and during snow-clearing operations.
- 04Five airport and ATC staff members (Vladimir Ledenev, Vladimir Martynenko, Aleksandr Kruglov, Svetlana Krivsun, and Roman Dunayev) were initially charged with criminal negligence.
- 05The snow plow driver and the lead engineer were sentenced to prison but immediately amnestied in 2017.
- 06While the accident occurred at 23:57 local time on October 20, some sources cite October 21 due to the proximity to midnight.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Ground Movement Control Reform
Vnukovo Airport implemented stricter controls on ground vehicle movements and enhanced monitoring of personnel for alcohol consumption.
ATC Training Enhancement
Russian aviation authorities mandated improved training for controllers on the use of surface movement radar during low-visibility operations.