US embassy cable - 05LAGOS1660

UNCLAS LAGOS 001660 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - HANDLE ACCORDINGLY 
 
TRANSPORTATION FOR FAA 
DAKAR PLS PASS TO FAA REP ED JONES 
ROME PLS PASS TO TSA REP JOHN HALINSKI 
FOR DS/IP/AF 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: CASC, EAIR, NI, ASEC, PREL 
SUBJECT: SITREP #7: CRASH OF BELLVIEW FLIGHT B3210; OCTOBER 
25, 12:30 AM (LOCAL) 
 
REF: LAGOS 1656 AND PREVIOUS 
 
1. (SBU) The consular response team (CRT) yesterday liaised 
with Nigerian authorities to review identification documents 
found at the crash site.  They found no/no information 
indicating additional AMCITs were on board, other than the 
one known AMCIT and two LPRs whose names match the manifest. 
The team deployed to the crash site today to continue 
monitoring the effort. 
 
2. (SBU) The team reported better security at the site 
yesterday due to the presence of numerous senior-ranking GON 
officials.  However, the site is not/not being treated as a 
"controlled accident scene."  Press, family members, and 
curious on-lookers all have access to the site.  The 
integrity of much of the site seems to have been compromised. 
 The crater formed by the crashed plane, however, appears to 
not have been compromised. 
 
3. (SBU) The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is 
prepared to work with the U.S. National Transportation Safety 
Board (NTSB) team scheduled to arrive tomorrow, October 26. 
The Aviation Minister and NCAA Director General have canceled 
their October 28 trip to Washington. 
 
4. (SBU) Overzealous officials at the Nigerian Broadcast 
Commission (NBC) temporarily closed the Africa Independent 
Television (AIT) and affiliated Red Power Radio Station which 
accurately reported the location of the crash site and the 
fact that there were no survivors.  Both were allowed to 
re-open on Monday after a closure of approximately 12 hours. 
Nigeria's Information Minister Frank Nweke publicly 
criticized the NBC action, stating that he quickly ordered 
NBC to allow AIT/Ray Power back on the air after he learned 
of the closure.  Our Public Affairs Section continues to 
monitor the Nigerian media. 
BROWNE