GDRC INVITS NTSB TO ASSIST WITH AIR SERV CRASH

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000776 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE PASS DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION USID FOR OFDA: MSHIRLEY and AFR/EA E.O. 12958: N/ TAGS: EAIR ECON PGOV CG SUBJECT: GDRC INVITS NTSB TO ASSIST WITH AIR SERV CRASH INVESTIGATIN REF: KINSHASA 725 KINSHASA 349 KINSHASA 37 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: The GDRC Civil Aviation Authority (AAC) extended an invitation verbally through Econoff for the NTSB to assist in the investigation of the September Air Serv crash near Bukavu (Ref A). The NTSB ivestigator hopes to bring the Flight Data Recorder ack to the U.S. for analysis as the first step i the investigation. The AAC is also currently hoting a conference to draft proposals for updatedlegislation to civil aviation code in the DRC. En Summary. ¶2. (U) The Director of the GDRC Civl Aviation Authority (AAC), Richard Nyanguile, tld Econoff on September 17 that the NTSB investiator has been invited to assist in the September 1Air Serv crash investigation. The investigator hat has been named the NTSB's U.S. Accredited Repesentative, and who is currently in Nairobi, als assisted with the April 15 Hewa Bora crash (Refs and C). He expects to arrive in Kinshasa the wek of September 22, and hopes to begin the invesigation by transferring the Flight Data Recorder FDR) to the NTSB for analysis. Nyanguile said he grees with the NTSB's plan of action and that th FDR is currently in Kinshasa. ¶3. (SBU) The 9-seat Beechcraft 1900 had crashed on a steep slop near Bukavu, making access to the crash site dificult. UN peacekeepers finally reached the siteon September 4 by getting lowered from helicoptes in slings. The peacekeepers helped to evacuat all seventeen bodies and successfully recovered te FDR. The AAC waited two weeks befor inviting the NTSB, a sign the GDRC may be wary of any reports that could further damage the DRC's already poor aviation safety record. ¶4. (SBU) Nyanguile is currently hosting a conference September 18-19 to work on proposed legislation to update the Congolese civil aviation code. Nyanguile said the DRC is using obsolete aviation laws inherited from the colonial era. The NTSB investigator will have the opportunity to share his views on the outcome of this conference when he meets with the AAC. GARVELINK