JAN 12 UPDATE RE ADAM AIR; PIECES OF WRECKAGE FOUND; SEARCH CONTINUES

UNCLAS JAKARTA 000108 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR CA/OCS/ACS/EAP,EAP/MTS,EB/TRA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAIRASECCASCID SUBJECT: JAN 12 UPDATE RE ADAM AIR; PIECES OF WRECKAGE FOUND; SEARCH CONTINUES REF:JAKARTA 050 AND PREVIOUS ¶1. (U) Summary: Villagers and Government of Indonesia (GOI) search and rescue personnel found small pieces of wreckage from Adam Air flight KI-574 on various beaches in South Sulewesi on January 11th. Small wreckage debris continues to wash on shore. U.S. Military personnel continue to assist with sea search efforts and are awaiting equipment for deep sea water recovery. Family members of AmCit passengers have left Indonesia, but remain in contact with Consular Staff. End Summary. Wreckage Found; Search Efforts Shift to Sea -------------- ¶2. (U) Villagers found a three foot piece of the elevator from the right horizontal stabilizer January 11 on a beach in the Pare-Pare district of Southern Sulewesi. Seat cushions, tray tables, clothing, and other small debris from the plane have also washed on up on shore in the area. Small personal effects have also washed on shore, but are in poor condition and hard to identify. Local media widely and inaccurately reported that the body of a young female crash victim was found washed ashore near Pare-Pare on January 11. However, [Indonesian health officials] have confirmed the victim died well after the accident and her death was not related to the crash in any way. According to Robert Benzon, leader of the 6-man NTSB team, the wreckage found on shore confirms a water impact, but larger pieces of the fuselage and the flight record locater are crucial to reconstructing the accident. ¶3. (U) The USNS Mary Sears continues to search Indonesian waters. However, a towed pinger locater (tpl) is needed to search deep seas. This equipment is expensive and must be sent from the United States. Benzon also noted that the flight recorder's batteries only have a 30 day lifespan and that the search has already entered the 11 th day. ¶4. (U) The six members of the U.S. NTSB accident investigation analyzed the wreckage at Hasnaruddin Air Force base this morning. The FAA and GE representatives of the NTSB team plan to return to the United States early next week since it is unlikely engine wreckage would wash on shore. The two NTSB and two Boeing representatives remain in Makkassar awaiting further developments. Team leader Benzon stated that the NTSB team is ready to provide technical assistance if needed, however the focus is now on the recovery of the wreckage. ¶5. (U) DATT reporting in septels provides additional technical details related to USNS Mary Sears participation in the search. Update on NOK of AmCit Passengers -------------- ¶6. (U) Amcits Felice DuBois and sons Gregory and Brian Jackson, NOK of Amcit passengers Scott, Stephanie and Lindsey Jackson, departed Indonesia January 12 to return home to Bend, OR. Ms. Jackson and sons arrived in Surabaya Jan. 8 and traveled to Bali January 11 to stay with friends there. Jakarta, Surabaya and Bali Consular Agent provided logistical assistance in changing the family's airline tickets. Surabaya staff assisted the family in meeting with Scott Jackson's employer and in securing valuables from his Surabaya apartment. ¶7. (SBU) Embassy DATT and US NTSB Accident Investigation team leader Robert Benzon spoke several times with Ms. DuBois to provide her updates on search efforts, including information from USAF analysis of the plane's radar. Ms. Dubois was provided Robert Benzon's cell number and is in contact with him. Ms. DuBois repeatedly expressed to conoffs her appreciation for the detailed information DATT and NTSB have provided to her. Ms. DuBois avoided any contact with the press in Indonesia. Ms. DuBois and sons told Surabaya conoffs January 9 that they did not wish to sign a Privacy Act Waiver, but will reconsider after having the opportunity to discuss this with their U.S. lawyer. Jack Maher, family friend who had accompanied Ms. Jackson and her sons to Indonesia, left Surabaya for Singapore Jan. 11. Jakarta CG assured Ms. DuBois in telcon January 12 that Mission Indonesia personnel will continue to update her daily by e-mail and phone as new information is learned. U.S. Forensics Assistance Available -------------- ¶8. (U) Should recovery of the plane and passenger remains be possible, Embassy ICITAP officers with forensic training are prepared to assist as needed with identification of the remains of the three American passengers, and to assist Indonesian disaster victim identification efforts if requested to do so by the GOI. Dental records for Scott, Stephanie and Lindsey Jackson are being held at Consulate Surabaya and will be hand carried to Makassar victim identification center if needed. PASCOE