KINSHASA SPACE SHUTTLE EMERGENCY LANDING SITE

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000440 PARIS FOR SCICOUNS/NASA REP MADRID FOR ECON PETER HIGGINS/PERDUE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TSPA CG SUBJECT: KINSHASA SPACE SHUTTLE EMERGENCY LANDING SITE UNSUITABLE REF: STATE 38670 ¶1. Bottom Line: FIH/FZAA (Kinshasa International) airport is not recommended in the event of an emergency landing for the STS mission. The first third of the runway is unusable due to fissures in the concrete. Note: Daily landings on this runway avoid the portion in question. End note. ¶2. Feasibility: FIH/FZAA (Kinshasa International) is not recommended. Factors considered in coming to this conclusion are airspace control, runway suitability, and security. ¶3. Airspace control: FIH/FZAA has reasonable control of its airspace. ¶4. Runway suitability: The published runway data for FIH/FZAA is not/not correct. Runway 24 has a "displaced threshold" of 1300-meters and is painted with markings as unusable due to fissures in the concrete. Instead of 4700-meters, the runway has a useable length of 3300-meters, according to airport officials and a U.S.-trained pilot who is familiar with FIH/FZAA. ¶5. Security: The security situation in Kinshasa is relatively stable and apparently calm. Immediate and temporary security on the runway can be provided by the President's Republican Guard, and/or members of the international (MONUC) peacekeeping force. GARVELINK