ANOTHER NEAR CRASH OF CHANCHANGI AIRLINER

UNCLAS LAGOS 000413 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DAKAR PASS TO FAA ED JONES DOT PASS SMCDERMOTT, CWHUNTER, KSAMPLE FAA PASS FRAWLS III BRUSSELS PASS TSA GMOORE HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER PLEASE PASS TO TSA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAIR ATRN NI SUBJECT: ANOTHER NEAR CRASH OF CHANCHANGI AIRLINER REFTEL: 04 Lagos 2595 CHANCHANGI BLAMES LANDING ACCIDENT ON WIND AND RAIN; PASSENGERS SAFE -------------- -------------- ¶1. (U) On March 12, Chanchangi Airlines (Nigeria) experienced its second crash landing in the last three months (reftel). Chanchangi officials blamed high winds and a rain-flooded runway for veering the B727- 200 some thirty meters off the Abuja airport runway. The Saturday flight from Katsina to Abuja's Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport carried roughly 110 passengers, including the Finnish Ambassador and other dignitaries, none of whom was injured in the incident. We do not know if any Amcits were on board. LANDING DETAILS UNCERTAIN AS NCAA INVESTIGATES -------------- - ¶2. (SBU) The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), which is investigating the accident, has not released an official statement about the cause of the mishap. Captain Edward Boyo, founder of Aviation and Allied Business magazine and its associated annual conference, and CEO of Landover Air Services, asserted to us that Chanchangi's latest landing problem may reflect broader management or system weaknesses since the winds alone that day were not strong enough to blow the aircraft off the runway. Indeed one NCAA official publicly said the likely cause of the incident was pilot error, though Chanchangi Airlines strongly denies this. CHANCHANGI UNSAFE? -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Comment. Another local aviation expert, who requested anonymity, told us that Chanchangi Airlines is "not up to speed on anything," a conclusion that cannot be discounted given recent mishaps. In the meantime, the Nigerian aviation authorities probably need to improve their monitoring of Chanchangi and other domestic airlines. End comment. BROWNE