President of Total oil company dies in plane crash

Christophe de Margeri, president and CEO of French-based oil company Total, has been killed in a plane crash in Russia, the Russian news agency Ria Novosti reported Tuesday.

"Together with the head of Total, all three crew members were killed," the news agency said, reportiung that the accident occurred when the Paris-bound Falcon 50 business jet collided with a snow plow on the runway. Britain's BBC reports that Russian investigators have found the the driver of the snow plow was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident.

Total has a significant role in international motorsports, from Formula 1 – where it sponsors the Renault-powered Red Bull and Lotus teams – to sports cars.

De Margerie, 63, had been chief executive of Europe's third largest oil company since 2007.

A statement from the office of French President Francois Hollande said: "Christophe de Margerie dedicated his life to French industry and to building up the Total group. He made it into one of the very top global companies

"Francois Hollande cherished Christophe de Margerie's independent character, original personality and his devotion to his country."

“On behalf of the International Motor Sports Association, I offer our deepest condolences to family and friends of Total CEO Christophe de Margerie, along with the other airplane passengers who tragically passed away yesterday in Russia,” said IMSA CEO Ed Bennett. “I also wish to extend condolences to the staff and employees at Total on the loss of their dynamic leader in the oil industry. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.”