SEARCH AND RESCUE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP75B00285R000100070004-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 14
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 17, 2005
• Sequence Number: 4
• Publication Date: March 26, 1969
• Content Type: MF

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OSA 0048/69
MEMORANDUM FOR: Chief, Aero Medical Staff, OSA
1. I understand the State Department has amended its
Foreign Affairs Manual to provide specific instructions
for search and rescue operations involving U.S. citizens
and craft in foreign countries.
2. State Department and the Department of Transportation
have negotiated various bilateral agreements to facilitate
the entry of search and rescue units into foreign areas.
Additionally, a draft of a proposed multilateral agreement
on this subject is being circulated by the ICAO.
3. You may be interested in obtaining copies of these
documents for possible future reference.
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INTEL/O/OSA (26 Mar 69) Distribution for
Distributio .
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1 - RB/OSA
State Department review
completed
DATE 2 6 MAR 1969
FILE
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15 April 1969,
MEM R IDUM FOR: Chief, Intel/O/OSA
SUBJECT Search and Rescue in Foreign Countries
REFERENCE Memo for Chief, AMS/OSA From Intel/O/OSA
OSA-0048-69 dated 26 March 1969
1. AMS/OSA appreciates receiving the information con-
tained in the referenced Memo and agrees OSA.should have
copies of the documents of concern on file with AMS/OSA.
2. It is, therefore, requested that.Intel/O/OSA en-
deavor to obtain the referenced documents through Intelligence
channels since AMS has no Agency Headquarter's counterparts
or State Department liaison through which such documents
could be obtained.
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SUBJ. Acquisition of Documents
SEC. CL.
CONTROL NO.
OSA 0050--69
CROSS REFERZNCE OR
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 CONFIDENTIIALL
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15 April 1969
MEMORANDUM FOR: Chief, Aero Medical Staff, OSA
SUBJECT Acquisition of Documents
REFERENCE Memo for C/INTEL/O/OSA for AMS/OSA;
dated 15 April 1969; Subject: Search
and Rescue in Foreign Countries
(OSA 1071-69)
The Central Reference Service (DDI) provides document
support for all Agency personnel. To obtain copies of the
documents you are interested in contact the Acquisition and
Dissemination Division (CRS)
INTEL/O/OSA
Distributio
Orig - C/AMS/OSA
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1 - D/O/OSA
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(15 Apr 69)
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OSA-1o17-69
15 April 1969
MEMORANDUM FOR: Deputy Director, Office of Special Activities
SUBJECT: Search and Rescue
REFERENCE: Memo to C/AMS/OSA, Dtd 26 Mar 69, OSA-oo48-69,
Same Subject.
1. Attached are copies of appropriate pages for your information
and retention of the Foreign Affairs Manual, Volume 7, concerning the
subject raised in the referent memorandum. Pages 420, 650, and 660
pertain to accident investigation occuring in International Civil
Aviation.
2. The latest information from the State Department indicates
that a state notice had been issued calling attention to the above
paragraphs as a reminder to its personnel that the subject matter
Chief., Contracts Management Division, OSA
CMD/OSA 15 Apr 69)
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Missin or Overdue Abroad
See section 422. 2b for,procedures. r~<
652 ? Aircraft of United States Registry
Involved in Accident Abroad
An "aircraft accident" is defined in the
Civil Aeronautics Board Safety Investiga-
tions (part 320, paragraph 320. 2) as * "an
occurrence associated with the operation of
an aircraft which takes place between the
time any person boards the aircraft with
the intention of flight until such time as
all persons have disembarked, in which
any person suffers death or serious injury
as a result of being, in or, upon the aircraft
or by direct contact with the aircraft or
anything attached thereto, or the aircraft
receives substantial damage." ink
653 Role of Interested Governments
.6 53.1 Governing Convention
In respect to accident investigation, the
convention on International Civil Aviation,
to which the United States is a party, deals
generally with the obligations and privileges
of contracting states in the event of an
accident occurring in international civil
aviation.
653.2 Nations Party to Convention
The following countries are parties to the
Convention on International Civil Aviation:
Afghanistan
*Algeria
?
Argentina
Australia
Austria
*Barbados
Belgium
Bolivia
Brazil
?~C Bulgaria
Burma
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
* Central African
Ceylon
*Chad
650 ;;CIVIL AVIATION *
651 *Aircraft of United States Registry
Chile
China
Colombia
*Congo (Brazzaville)
4..Congo (Kinshasa)
Costa Rica
Cuba
Cyprus
Czechoslovakia
*Dahomey
Denmark
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
El Salvador
Republic Ethiopia
Finland
France
* Gabon
Federal Republic of
Ghana
Greece
Guatemala
Guinea
~.~ Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland.
Israel
Italy '
Ivory Coast
~{? Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kenya
Korea
Kuwait
Laos
Lebanon
Liberia
Libya
Luxembourg
Malagasy Republic
Malawi
*Malaysia
Mali
Malta
Mauritania
Mexico
Morocco
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Germany",.,. Niger
Nigeria
Norway
Pakistan
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
*Romania
*Rwanda
*Saudi Arabia
Senegal
*Sierra Leone
*Singapore
;Somali Republic
Republic of
South Africa
Spain
Sudan
Sweden
Switzerland
*Syria
Tanzania
Thailand
*Togo
Trinidad &
Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
* Uganda
United Arab
Republic
United Kingdom
United States
"'^ Upper Volta
Uruguay
Venezuela
Viet-Nam
*Yemen
Yugo slavia
Yr. Zambia
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653.3 Pertinent Provisions of Convention
,~ a. Article 25 of the Convention on Interna-
tional Civil Aviation states that "each con-
tracting State undertakes to provide such
measures of assistance to aircraft in dis-
tress in its territory as it may find
practicable, and to permit, subject to
control by its own authorities, the owners
of the aircraft or authorities of the State
in whidh the aircraft is registered to
provide such measures of assistance as
may be necessitated by the circumstances.
Each contracting State, when undertaking
search for missing aircraft, will collaborate
in coordinated measures which may be
recommended from time to-time pursuant
to this Convention." To this end the
International Civil Aviation Organization
(ICAO) has adopted Annex 12, International
Standards and Recommended Practices for
Search and Rescue, which ICAO member
states are obligated to incorporate in their
national laws or regulations or file
differences with ICAO.
Paragraph 2. 1. 2. of Annex 12 provides
that--
"Subject to the control of its own
authorities, a contracting State shall
permit immediate entry of aircraft,
equipment and personnel necessary to
search for aircraft in distress, or
rescue survivors of aircraft accidents,
into any areas other than prohibited
areas in which it is believed that such
aircraft or survivors are located. Each
contracting State shall publish all nec-
essary information concerning author-
ities and the measure of control
exercised by them."
b. Article 26 of the Convention on In-
ternational Civil Aviation states that "in the
event of an accident to an aircraft of a
contracting State occurring in the territory
of another contracting State, and involving
death or serious injury, or indicating
serious technical defects in the aircraft
or air navigation facilities, the State in
which the accident occurs will institute
an inquiry into the circumstances of the
accident in accordance, so far as its laws
permit, with the procedure which may be
recommended by the International Civil
Aviation Organization (ICAO). The State
in which the aircraft is registered shall
be given the opportunity to appoint observers
to be present at the inquiry and the State
holding the inquiry shall communicate the
report and findings in the matter to that
State."
~? Article 37 of the Convention states that
"each contracting State undertakes to collab-
orate in securing the highest practicable
degree of uniformity in regulations, stand-
ards, procedures, and organization in
relation to aircraft, personnel, airways
and auxiliary services in all matters in
which such uniformity will facilitate and
improve air navigation. " This article
further states that the International Civil
Aviation Organization shall adopt and amend
from time to time, as may be necessary,
international standards and recommend
procedures dealing with, among other
things, aircraft in distress and investiga-
tions of accidents.
d. Annex 13 to the Convention, Standards
and Recommended Practices, Aircraft
Accident Inquiry, which was adopted by the
International Civil Aviation Organization
Council on April 11, 1951, sets forth in-
ternational standards and recommended
practices to promote uniformity in the
notification, investigation, and reporting
on aircraft accidents with a view to con-
tributing to the prevention of further
accidents. The specifications in this
annex include the method of notification
of accidents, the protection of evidence,
custody, and removal of aircraft after an
accident, the institution of the accident
inquiry, and the report. Other spec}fica-
tions have subsequently been added by the
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654 investigative Responsibility in the
U. U.S. Government
654.1 Statutory Responsibility of National
Transportation Safety Board ;,_
Under the ;* Department of Transportation
Act of October 15, 1966, the National
Transportation Safety Board, within the
Department of Transportation, . is charged
with investigating accidents involving civil
aircraft and reporting the facts, conditions,
and circumstances relating to each accident
and the probable cause thereof. In addi-
tion to the investigation of accidents oc-
curring in United States territory, the
Board also investigates accidents to United
States aircraft which occur in other
countries. The Board has delegated to
the *Federal Aviation Administration `"r':
responsibility for the investigation of all
accidents to fixed wing aircraft of 12, 500
pounds or less certificated maximum gross
takeoff weight, except accidents involving
fatalities. In carrying out its investigative
functions, the Board may make use of the
services of technical personnel of the
*Federal Aviation Administration, * the
airline involved, or the manufacturer of
the aircraft involved. All such personnel
carry out their activities, however, under
the direction of the Board.
654.2 Board Policy on Investigating
Accidents. Abroad
The National Transportation Safety
Board ,'- is interested in all accidents
occurring abroad to aircraft of United
States registry ;;and/or manufacture.
In accidents where one or more fatalities
are involved and in accidents to aircraft
of more than 12,500 pounds maximum
certificated takeoff weight where no
fatalities are involved, the Board may
wish to appoint, a representative, and
perhaps advisers to assist him, to be
present during the investigation. However,
whether or not the Board participates in
the investigation of such accidents, it is
desirous of receiving reports of the results
of the investigation when issued.
Policy of the %* Federal Aviation
Administration * in Investigating
Accidents Abroad
Although the ,. Federal Aviation Admini-
stration=j:has been delegated authority to
investigate in the United States only
accidents to fixed wing aircraft of less
than 12,500 pounds, it is nevertheless
interested in having knowledge of acci-
dents occurring to all United States re-
gistered aircraft regardless of size. The
Federal Aviation Administration `': main-
tains offices in various foreign countries,
and it may wish to have a member of its
staff from the appropriate overseas office
observe the scene of the accident of United
States registered aircraft and the investi-
gation thereof. The -.',~ National Transporta-
tion Safety Board;C has no investigative
personnel stationed outside the United States.
'Consequently, even' though the Board may
choose to send a member of its staff to
participate in the investigation of an ac-
cident, some time may elapse before he
arrives at the scene. On the other hand,
the ~; C Federal Aviation Administration,
through its offices abroad, ".: ' may be able
to get a representative to the scene of the
accident more. quickly. The Federal
Aviation Administration* maintains offices
abroad in the following
*FAA Offices Abroad
Beirut
Brussels
Buenos Aires
;'Frankfurt
"*Lagos
Lima
London
Manila
*Paris
Rome
Rio de Janeiro
Tokyo
cities:
Telegraphic Address
ACIVAIR, Beirut,
Lebanon
ACIVAIR, Brussels,
Belgium
ACIVAIR, Buenos
Aires, Argentina
ACIVAIR, Frankfurt,
Germany
ACIVAIR, Lagos,
. Nigeria
ACIVAIR, Lima,
Peru
ACIVAIR, London,
England
ACIVAIR, Manila,
Philippines
,ACIVAIR, Paris,
France
ACIVAIR, Rome,
Italy
ACIVAIR, Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil
ACIVAIR, Tokyo,
Japan
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655
Activities of Interested
656
United States Airlines
656.1
655.1
Customary Activities
A United States airline will normally make
every effort to get its nearest representative
to the scene of the accident as quickly as
possible to protect the aircraft and its
contents and to make proper disposition
the passengers, mail, and cargo. The
.airline representative will usually reach
the spot ahead of the "% Federal Aviation
Administration or the National Transporta-
tion Safety Board representatives.. In
situations where crewmembers survive the
disaster and are uninjured, the senior
member of such crew is responsible for
taking immediate charge and for supervis-
ing the carrying out of the airline's re-
sponsibilities.
655.2 Obligations
A United States airline is obliged by the
United States Civil Aeronautics Board
Safety Investigation Regulations (part 320,
para. 320.15) to preserve the wreckage,
and is relieved from that obligation only
(1) if it cannot be discharged
the foreign country, or (2) if
representative of the National
tion Safety Board specifically
airline of its obligation.
legally in
an authorized
Transporta-
relieves the
655.3 Limitations on Activities
Airline representative are expected to
limit their activities to salvage operations
necessary to.,* make proper disposition
of I-W passengers, crew, mail, cargo, and
luggage and to assist the officials of the
country ig which the accident occurs to
preserve the wreckage. The airline re-
presentatives, therefore, are not expected
to undertake an examination of the wreckage
or an investigation of the accident to deter-
mine its cause prior to * assumption of
the case ; by the properly constituted
official investigative authority which will
presumably include a representative of the
*National Transportation Safety Board
or the Federal Aviation Administration. 7+G
Post Functions
Notification and Reporting
of Accidents
a. Arrangements are to be made where-
by the local authorities, who will usually
be the first to learn of an aircraft ac-
cident, will notify the nearest American
embassy or consulate when accidents occur
to aircraft of United States registry or manu-
facture. The embassy or consulate re-
ceiving such information transmits it by.
telegram to the Department for forwarding
to the National Transportation Safety Board
and the Federal Aviation Administration
for such action as they may wish to take.
*In addition, the post transmits such in-
formation by telegram to the appropriate
overseas office of the Federal Aviation
Administration (see section 654.3).* When
the local governmental authorities have
completed their investigation of an accident
to an aircraft of United States registry
* or manufacture *. and have issued an
official report thereon, copies of the report
are obtained and forwarded to the Depart-
ment for use of the :r National Transporta-
tion Safety Board and the Federal Aviation
Administration. In forwarding such reports,
the post indicates whether release of the
report to the public by the National Trans-
portation Safety Board would be acceptable
the government concerned. 4,
b. By the terms of chapter 26 of the
Convention on International Civil Aviation
and annex 13 thereto, when an accident
occurs in one state to an aircraft of
registry of some other state, the state in
which the accident occurs is required to
.notify the state of registry ;; and the state
of manufacture ?1G of the aircraft "with
the minimum of delay and .by the quickest
means" of the fact of the accident, with
such pertinent information as is available.
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656.2 Arranging for Entry and Travel
of Investigative and Airline
Representatives
Representatives of the ?,/ National Trans-
portation Safety Board, the Federal Aviation
Administration, * and the United States
airline involved may not have the documents
necessary for entry into the country where
the accident occurred. Posts are to lend
all agsistance possible to obtain the entry
of such representatives into the country
where the accident occurred and to expedite
their travel to the scene of the accident.
656. 3 Rendering Assistance at the
Scene of the Accident
* a. Scheduled United States Air Carrier
(1) The post will send a member of
its consular staff to the scene of the ac-
cident to ensure that appropriate protection
is afforded United States nationals and
property involved in the accident and that
any evidence bearing on the cause of the
accident is. preserved until the arrival of
United States Government investigative
personnel. (See section 656. 7b if the air-
craft had a courier or diplomatic pouches
aboard.) *
(2) In the absence of an airline repre-
sentative, the 4'-'' consular officer;; assists
local authorities in every possible way
compatible with the provisions of section
656.4 to care for the survivors, identify
and dispose of the remains of victims,
salvage and protect property, and preserve
the wreckage pending an investigation. If
an airline representative is already at the
scene of the accident, or if one arrives
shortly thereafter, the *; consular officer*
assists him to in discharging his recognized
responsibilities in connection with passengers
and cargo. (See section 655.) However,
the consular officer `s' is also obligated
to assist investigative personnel of the
United States- Government to preserve
evidence bearing on the cause. of the ac-
cident. Any attempt on the part of the
airline representative to exceed his
recognized sphere of activity (see section
655. 3) is to be called to the attention of
the airline involved and the competent
local authorities.
*b. Non-scheduled United States
Carrier or Private Plane
The procedure outlined in section 656. 3a is
to be followed in any case wherein it is
deemed necessary in the event of an ac-
cident involving a non-scheduled carrier or
private plane. *
656.4 * Expenses Attendant Upon an
Accident
a. Expenditure of Official Funds
The Department of State has no funds. from
which expenses attendant upon an accident
to United States aircraft can be paid.
Foreign Service posts. are not authorized
to expend funds for any such expenses, in-
.cluding funds for" guarding the wreckage to
preserve evidence of the cause of the
accident, unless the National Transportation
Safety Board or the Federal Aviation Admin-
istration authorizes, in advance, the ex-
penditure of funds for such purposes on a
reimbursable basis. In the absence of
such advance authorization, posts can
arrange only for such protection as local
authorities are willing to furnish gratui-
tously.
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r,C b. Payment by Airline
.The Air Transport Association of America
informed the Department (in a letter dated
September 21, 1950) that "generally speak-
ing, it can be assumed that the airline will
assume responsibility for expenses incurred
as a direct result of the accident." In an
emergency involving a scheduled carrier
and in the absence of airline representatives
or other authority, the post is to request
a deposit from the airline (through the
Department, if desired) with specific author-
ization to incur whatever financial obliga-
tions the airline is willing to assume to
hire guards (in case local police protection
is considered inadequate), provide accom-
modations, medical pare, and onward
transportation for survivors, and for other
expenses resulting, from the accident. In
an accident involving a scheduled carrier.
private plane, or non-scheduled carrier
for which no deposit of funds has been
made to defray costs in relation to the
accident, or pending receipt of funds for
that purpose, airline and investigative
personnel may be delayed in reaching the
scene. The consular officer, as the
representative of all segments of the
United States Government in the area,
will endeavor to protect and promote the
interests of the Government, the airline,
and the individual citizen by any means
available to him that are consistent with
these regulations and should request funds
and instructions as required from the
Department. ,;
*c. Voluntary and Personal Services
Voluntary services and personal services
in excess of those authorized by law may
be accepted and utilized in the case of an
aircraft accident,. since the law which
normally prohibits such acceptance
(31 U.S.C. 665) does not apply "in case
of sudden emergency involving the safety
of human life or the protection of pro-
perty. "
656. 5 Protective Services for Survivors
~0
-C Primary responsibility to provide medical
care, accommodations, and onward trans-
portation for passengers and crew rests
with the airline or operator of the non-
scheduled or private plane. However, the
consular officer is to assist in every way
feasible to resolve such problems as arise
following an accident. -0-
a. Medical Care and Hospitalization
*The consular officer is to lend every
assistance possible to arrange for injured
survivors of the accident the best medical
and hospital attention available. (See
sections 656. 3 and 656. 4. ) ;:
b. Accommodation and Onward
Transportation
The consular officer is to assist passengers
and members of the crew who do not re-
quire hospitalization to obtain appropriate
accommodations accessible from the scene
of the accident. If practicable, surviving
passengers are to remain in the vicinity
of the accident until the United States
investigative personnel can obtain from
them all information pertaining to the
accident. Surviving passengers leaving
the vicinity are to furnish addresses at.
which they can be reached later. The
consular officer assists the passengers,
as appropriate, to obtain necessary
clearances from local authorities and
to obtain onward transportation by the
most expeditious means of common
carrier transportation available. Surviv-
ing members of the aircraft crew will
be expected to remain in the vicinity of
the accident until. otherwise instructed by
the investigative personnel. (See sections
656. 3 and 656. 4.)
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656.6 Protective Services With Respect
to Deceased Victims of Accident
a. Interim Disposition of Remains
Generally, local authorities will assume
custody of the remains of deceased victims
of the accident and consign them to a
mortuary until final disposition can be
made.
b. Identification of Remains
When necessary, officers are to assist in
identifying the remains of United States
citizens who are victims of the accident
by requesting the Department to procure
dental charts, passport application data,
and photographs, fingerprints, or other
United States records.
c. Reports on Deaths of United States
Citizens
Posts are to report the deaths of United
States citizens occurring in an aircraft
accident, in accordance with the procedure
prescribed in section 441.
d. Disposition of Remains
When a scheduled United States air carrier
meets with an accident, the United States
airline concerned usually will transport the
identifiable remains of victims of the
accident to the place of final interment
.designated by the next of kin. If the post
is requested, or finds it necessary to
dispose of identifiable remains, the proce-
dures prescribed in section 442 are to be
followed. When remains are unidentifiable,
the local authorities may be expected to
make final disposition of these remains
locally, in accordance with the health re-
quirements of the country concerned,
usually by common burial or by cremation,
and without regard to the disposition de-
sired by possible next of kin.
656.7 Salvage of Mail and Other
Property
*The Regulations of Execution of the
Universal Postal Convention, signed at
Vienna July 10, 1964, provide in article
197 that when, as a result of an accident
which occurred during transportation, a
plane cannot continue on its trip and
deliver the mail at the scheduled stops--
(1) Personnel of the plane must de-
liver the dispatches to the post office
nearest the place of the accident or to the
one most qualified for the onward trans-
mission of the mail; or
(2) In the event personnel of the plane
are not able to take the foregoing action,
the nearest or most qualified post office,
having been informed of the accident, in-
tervenes without delay to obtain possession
of the mail and to reforward it to destina-
tion by the most rapid means after the
condition of the mail has been verified
and the damaged correspondence, if any,
repaired. -I-
OW,
Most post offices are familiar with these
provisions, but, if in any case the mail is
not being properly cared for, the post is
to bring the proper procedure to the at-
tention of the nearest post office.
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b. Diplomatic Pouches C. Baggage, Personal Effects, and Cargo
Immediately upon arriving at the scene of
the accident, the * cons1:':.r officer-N.-
ascertains whether the aix craft was carry-
ing a courier or diplomatic pouches. If a
courier is found to be aboard, the same
personal arrangements are made for him
as.are made for other'passengers. _(See
sections 656.3 through 656. 6.) An immedi-
ate search is also made for whatever diplo-
matic pouches the courier may have been
carrying and for any pouches that may have
been carried as regular cargo. Usually, the.
cargo manifest will list diplomatic pouches
carried as air freight or cargo. Since
a courier usually carries his pouches with
him into the cabin of the plane, the pouch
receipts, forms DS-1053 (see ? 5 FAM
Exhibit 341. 3), on his person or in his
briefcase will offer positive proof of the
number of pouches he has in his custody.
If any are found, they are to be cleared
through appropriate government officials
of the country and taken to the nearest,
United States Foreign Service post to await
disposition instructions. If it is learned
that the postal authorities have already re-
covered United States diplomatic pouches,
such pouches are to be obtained from the
postal authorities and taken to the nearest
post to await, disposition instructions. A
telegram 'is sent to the Department and to
the regional courier office having jurisdic-
tion over that area, describing the pouches
recovered. This description will include
the offices of the addressors and addressees
and the classification indicator (C, A, or S).
The Department and the regional courier
office will coordinate instructions to the
office for the disposition of these pouches.-
ouches.
The consular officer requests the
The'
local authorities to arrange for the security
storage and protection of such baggage,
personal effects, and cargo as are re-
coverable from the aircraft until the pro-
perty- can be released to its owners -by
local customs and accident -investigating
authorities or by the courts. When
released, the personal effects of United
States citizens who died in the accident
are then taken into possession and disposed
of by the post in accordance with the
procedure prescribed in sections 444
through 448.
656.8 Protection and Preservation
of Wreckage
So far as local law permits, the '-r consular
officer:* sees that arrangements are made
(by the airline representative with the local
authorities, if a scheduled carrier is in-
volved) for the protection of the wrecked
aircraft and its property contents against
further damage, pilferage, and access by
unauthorized persons, until the arrival of
the accident investigative personnel. The
prior removal of any of the wreckage or
the contents of the aircraft should be
prevented, unless such action is neces=
sitated by very compelling reasons, such
as the need for treating the injured or for
removing bodies, or when the wreckage
constitutes 'a public hazard. . When, under
the latter conditions, the wreckage and
contents of the aircraft must be removed
or disturbed in any way, a record is to
be made or photographs are to taken
showing the position and condition of the
wreckage prior to disturbance, if possible.
In the case of a private aircraft or non-
scheduled carrier, protection is arranged
for the wrecked aircraft and, its contents
pending the receipt of information from
the Department whether the ii',-'National
Transportation Safety Board 4 will in-
vestigate the case, and until final disposi-
tion is made of the property. - If the
owner killed in the wreck of a private
aircraft is a United States citizen, the
aircraft constitutes part of his personal
estate and is disposed of in accordance
with the provisions of sections 444 through
448. (For rules governing the payment of
expenses in connection with the protection
and preservation of wrecked United States
aircraft, see section 656. 4. )
7 FAM 656.8 SPECIAL CCppNN R~gEg TL:CON-31
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656.9
Records and Reports in Connection
660
FOREIGN AIRCRAFT AC
With Investi
ation
CIDENTS
g
INVOLVING UNITED 'T
T
A
ES
PERSONS OR PROPERTY
Records
Th
`>
l
*
661
Reports on Accident
e
consu
ar officer ~. maintains a
record of the various transactions taking
place prior to the arrival of airline,
4-National Transportation Safety Board, and
Federal Aviation Administration h re-
presentatives. This record is to include
all pertinent details with respect to the
disposition of persons and property, obli-
gations assumed, arrangements made, etc.,
and also any statements made by witnesses.
b. Reports
Reports are .to be submitted to the Depart-
ment for its information and the information
of aviation authorities and other interested
parties in the United States regarding the
progress of any investigation which is held
and its final outcome when known.
657 Reports Regarding Reaction of Local
Government to Prescribed Procedures
Each United States mission (or supervising
consular office in territories where there
is no mission) in a country party to the
Convention (see section 653) is to report
to the Department whether procedures
of this subchapter are under the Conven-
tion, generally acceptable to the local
government. Posts are to report to the
Department and to their supervisory mis-
sion (or supervisory consular office where
there is no mission) any known obstacle .
to carrying out the procedures prescribed
in this subchapter.
When an accident occurs to a foreign
aircraft in the district of a Foreign Service
post and United States citizens or property
are involved, the post is to report the
disaster fully to the Department and to the
supervisory mission (or the supervisory
consular office where there is no mission).
(See section 422. 2b. )
662 Protection of United States Citizens
Involved
Posts are to follow substantially the
procedures prescribed in section 656.4
through 656.6 to protect United States
citizens (whether alive or dead) involved
in a foreign aircraft accident.
663 Protection of United ShtLerj 1'rc Orly
Posts are to follow substantially the pro-
cedures set forth in sections 656.4 and
656. 7 to protect United States mail,
baggage, and diplomatic pouches, and the
personal effects and cargo belonging to
United States citizens.
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