This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

011701Z Nov 05

C O N F I D E N T I A L LAGOS 001708 
 
SIPDIS 
 
TRANSPORTATION FOR FAA 
DAKAR PLS PASS TO FAA REP ED JONES 
ROME PLS PASS TO TSA REP JOHN HALINSKI 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/31/2015 
TAGS: CASC EAIR NI ASEC PREL
SUBJECT: BELLVIEW CRASH: NOVEMBER 1 UPDATE 
 
REF: A. LAGOS 1675 AND PREVIOUS 
 
     ¶B. ACCRA 2205 
 
Classified By: Consul General Brian L. Browne for 1.5 (D). 
 
¶1. (C) Summary.  Excavation of crash site began October 31 
with the National Transportation and Security Board (NTSB) 
team and USG forensics team both at the site.  The NTSB team 
have not yet found the flight data nor cockpit voice 
recorders.  Forensic team members observed that officials 
from Ogun State tried to speed the pace of the excavation, 
thereby impinging on the authority of Director of Accidents 
Investigation and Prevention Bureau (AIPB) Angus Ozoka.  The 
forensics team also complained that 45 Nigerian police 
located on site did nothing to assist the USG team collect 
forensic evidence.  The Consul General (CG) spoke to Aviation 
Minister Borishade to secure the site, and allow the 
excavation process to move according to the forensic team's 
schedule.  Aviation Minister Borishade agreed police trained 
in forensics needed to participate in the investigation. 
Staff in Lagos and Abuja also contacted senior police 
officials about the need for police involvement in the 
forensic aspects of this investigation.  End Summary. 
 
¶2. (C) The forensic team complained that Ogun State 
officially ordered the use of heavy equipment to begin 
excavating the site without consulting AIPB Director and lead 
investigator in charge of the site, Angus Ozoka regarding the 
pace of the excavation.  Apparently, the Ogun State officials 
were more fixated on recovery of plane parts than on 
collecting victims remains and personal effects.  While the 
Nigerian pathologists were helpful, the Nigerian police did 
not assist the forensic team in recovery of victims remains. 
According to the forensic team,  the Ogun State officials 
partially succeeded in usurping some of the AIPB Director's 
control over the excavation.  Fortunately, not very much work 
was done yesterday. 
 
¶3. (C) The CG spoke November 1 with Ogun State Information 
Commissioner Niran Malaolu and Aviation Minister Babalola 
Borishade regarding the difficulties the forensics team 
encountered October 31 at the crash site.  At the CG's 
suggestions, Minister Borishade agreed that a fence securing 
the crash site was needed, that politicians should not 
attempt to control the excavation, that aerial photos of the 
area and the scene were in order, and that the pace of 
excavation should be tempered to allow the forensic team time 
to conduct its painstaking work.  Commissioner Malaolu 
promised to pass our request to Governor Daniel that Ogun 
State officials desist from inserting themselves into the 
excavation process. 
 
¶4. (C) The NTSB team met Bellview representatives today to go 
over documenting evidence and information regarding the 
Bellview flight 3210 flight crew.  Many aviation contacts 
claim Bellview had been routinely overworking their pilots 
(see reftel B) and the company had been under increasing 
financial distress. 
 
¶5. (C) Comment.  Given the high public profile this accident 
has assumed and the surge of media and emotions around this 
event, it will be a challenge for the investigators to keep 
the scene completely clear of exogenous actors.  We have made 
the necessary contacts, and senior officials have agreed to 
the necessary steps.  However, this must be translated to 
their staff at site.  We will continue to push for these and 
other steps in order to make the scene as secure as possible 
and to make the investigation be as effective as possible 
under these extenuating conditions.  The Nigerian police need 
to play a more active role in the forensics process to ensure 
that the investigation does not become a USG-led operation 
whereby Nigerian police and staff simply stand and watch 
without assisting.  End Comment. 
BROWNE