Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KINSHASA440
2009-05-05 14:48:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Kinshasa
Cable title:
KINSHASA SPACE SHUTTLE EMERGENCY LANDING SITE
how-toO 051448Z MAY 09 FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9558 INFO AMEMBASSY ALGIERS IMMEDIATE AMEMBASSY BANJUL IMMEDIATE AMEMBASSY DAKAR IMMEDIATE AMEMBASSY LONDON IMMEDIATE AMEMBASSY MADRID IMMEDIATE AMEMBASSY MONROVIA IMMEDIATE AMEMBASSY PARIS IMMEDIATE AMEMBASSY PRAIA IMMEDIATE AMEMBASSY PRETORIA IMMEDIATE AMCONSUL CAPE TOWN IMMEDIATE AMCONSUL HAMILTON IMMEDIATE
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
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
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