DRUG PLANE CRASH SITE VISIT -- NO SMOKING GUN JUST

C O N F I D E N T I A L TEGUCIGALPA 000193

SIPDIS

STATE FOR P, INL, L, WHA, WHACEN AND WHA/PPC
SOUTHCOM FOR GENERAL HILL
JIATF-S FOR RADM SIROIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/23/2014
TAGS: SNAR MOPS PINS PREL MCAP PINR HO
SUBJECT: DRUG PLANE CRASH SITE VISIT -- NO SMOKING GUN JUST
CHARRED WRECKAGE

REF: A. STATE 15961 (NOTAL)


B. TEGUCIGALPA 179

C. USDAO TEGUCIGALPA IIR 6 841 9971 04

Classified By: Political Counselor Francisco L. Palmieri
for reason 1.5 (b) and (d)


1. (C) On 1/23/04, U.S. country team members (DEA, DAO,
JTF-B, and MILGP) visited the site of 1/20/04
drug-trafficking air crash and were given full and unimpeded
access by Government of Honduran (GOH) authorities. The
Embassy team was accompanied by the Honduran Soto Cano Air
Base Liaison Officer and a Honduran Air Force (HAF) Command
staff intelligence officer. The accompanying HAF officials
facilitated access and responded forthrightly to all
inquiries. The team was on the ground at the site for almost
two hours.


2. (C) The country team group, which included two U.S.
military pilots, were able to closely inspect the burned out
fuselage, other strewn wreckage, and the entire surrounding
area of the crash site. They were able to examine four
remaining pieces of aircraft (representing about 10 per cent
of the aircraft): two engines, a wing, and the tail section.
It did not appear that any of this wreckage was struck by
bullet fire. The remaining wreckage was either charred or
destroyed beyond recognition. Serial numbers were obtained
off the engines and will be reported septel through DAO and
DEA messages.


3. (C) One U.S. team member noted that it appears that the
drug-trafficking aircraft hit the ground on its belly and not
on its nose, which would be consistent with the GOH's
scenario of a stalled aircraft which lost control and
crashed. The site is quite difficult to reach in an area of
treacherous and mountainous terrain. The area would be
extremely difficult to navigate on a low-altitude evasive
flight path.


4. (C) COMMENT: For the moment, Honduran cooperation has
been forthcoming, although both HAF officials did inquire
about the specific objective of the site visit. END COMMENT.
PALMER