SITREP #3: LAGOS BELLEVIEW FLIGHT 3210 CRASH; TIME

C O N F I D E N T I A L LAGOS 001645

SIPDIS

TRANSPORTATION FOR FAA; DAKAR PLEASE PASS TO FAA REP ED
JONES; ROME PLEASE PASS TO TSA REP JOHN HALINSKI

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/22/2006
TAGS: ASEC CASC EAIR NI PREL
SUBJECT: SITREP #3: LAGOS BELLEVIEW FLIGHT 3210 CRASH; TIME
1:00 AM (LOCAL)

REF: A. LAGOS 1643


B. LAGOS 1644

Classified By: Consul General Brian L. Browne per 1.4 d


1. Lagos EAC reconvened at 0900 October 23 concerning crash
of Bellview flight number 3210. The Nigerian National Civil
Aviation Authority (NCAA) has publicly released the flight
manifest (faxed to OpCenter). Mission has confirmed that the
name of the USDH on board (ref A) was on the manifest.
(Note: Nigerian flight manifests are of poor quality and may
not be accurate. Airlines frequently record only the surname
and first initial of the passenger. Nationality of the
traveler is not recorded for domestic flights. End Note.) We
are checking the names of all passengers listed against AMCIT
registration records in the consular database.


2. There are conflicting reports regarding the location of
the crash site. Some Nigerian officials identified an area
between Ilesha, in southern Kwara State and Kisi in Northern
Oyo State. Embassy Abuja has received conflicting reports of
the crash site being in Niger state. A pilot involved in the
rescue operation reported there may be as many as 50
survivors. This information is not/not confirmed and we have
heard from different Nigerian authorities that there were
no/no survivors. The Minister of Aviation is en route to
Kisi, Oyo state, to coordinate efforts. The minister has
told us that he will likely formally request USG assistance
after he has visited the crash site.


3. Post has dispatched a consular response team to the
Ilesha-Kisi corridor. The team includes the Consular section
chief and other consular officers, RMO, RSO, FSN
Investigator, Legatt, DEA, DAO, Management Officer, and a PAS
FSN.


4. Aircraft Details: 1981 Boeing 737-2L9 model, 200 series,
serial number 22734.

BROWNE