European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 11, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Sunday november 11, 1990 the stars and stripes a Page 5army charter plane crash reviewed by the los Angeles times Washington a an internal congressional report criticizes the . Governments failure to play an Active role in investigating the 1985 crash of a chartered plane in Canada that killed 248 american soldiers returning from the Middle East. The report Sheds no new Light on the cause of the crash. Indeed it says that so much time has passed that it is unlikely that the cause of the crash will Ever be known for the worst air disaster in . Military history. The Canadian aviation safety Board blamed the crash on ice on the planets wings. But its findings were disputed by four of the boards nine members and other experts who say that the crash was the result of an on Board explosion possibly from a terrorist bomb. The congressional report says that no . Official had enough detailed information to assess whether terrorism was involved because american officials relied too heavily on the canadians. There was a a near total absence of . Government participation in the investigation according to the report a copy of which was viewed by the los Angeles times. Both the reports criticism of the . Government and its suggestion that the cause will remain a mystery Are Likely to add to the controversy surrounding the crash of the chartered aircraft dec. 12, 1985, As it was leaving Gander Newfoundland. The House judiciary committees subcommittee on crime has scheduled a dec. 4 hearing on the . Response to the incident. Letters were sent Friday requesting testimony from representatives of the National transportation safety Board state department Fri and army. Two representatives of the Canadian aviation safety Board and the family of one victim also have been invited to testify. The inquiry by the subcommittee chaired by rep. William j. Hughes d-n.j., is the first official attempt by a . Body to evaluate the events surrounding the crash. It began after complaints from families of victims and rep. Robin Tal Lon . The subcommittee staff spent about a year interviewing witnesses and reviewing thousands of documents. The staff prepared a 24-Page report for members of the subcommittee but a staff member said that it did not plan to release the findings. The crash also was the worst air disaster in Canadian history and the canadians asserted jurisdiction. The congressional report said that the Nosb and other . Agencies allowed political and turf issues to keep them from becoming As involved As they should have been. The report contends that jurisdictional differences should have been set aside to allow appropriate . Agencies to play a role in the inquiry. An Nosb spokesman said he had not seen the report and could not comment on it. But he noted that International regulations Grant jurisdiction Over a crash to the country where it occurs. The flight operated by Miami based Arrow air was in route to fort Campbell ky., from Cairo Egypt via Cologne West Germany. The plane was carrying members of the army a 101st airborne div who had been on a six month . Peacekeeping Mission in the Sinai desert. After refuelling at Gander the plane crashed while taking off and burned for 23 hours. All 248 soldiers and eight Crew members on Board were killed. The Canadian boards majority report said that the most probable cause was ice on the wings. It said that the evidence did not support testimony by some witnesses who said that they saw flames before the crash. Four Board members issued an unusual dissent in which they said that ice was not a Factor and that a fire broke out on the plane while it was in flight. Private investigators hired by the families of the victims and other experts have speculated that a terrorist bomb caused the  fiscal plan gets mixed reaction Philadelphia apr spending cuts the Sale of City assets and $125 million in new taxes Are needed to avoid a virtual shutdown of Philadelphia a City government and to raise its Rock Bottom Bond rating state and local democratic leaders said Friday. The plan a announced by mayor w. Wilson Goode state House speaker Robert w. Of Donnell and other officials a also would set up an Independent control Board whose authority would be triggered if the City failed to balance future budgets. No City Council members or republicans joined in the announcement which left Many details sketchy. Other political leaders and Bond rating agencies gave the plan mixed reviews. Gov. Robert p. Casey in Harrisburg called the plan a an important first  he pledged full support of a recommendation for an immediate Sale of temporary loan notes to Avert a Cash crisis. A it also seems Clear that the other recommendations made today do not enjoy the same Broad consensus As the note Sale a Casey added. House minority Leader Matthew Ryan a Republican from suburban Delaware county scoffed at such provisions in the plan As a $50 million increase in state Aid. The plan was drafted behind closed doors in the last two months by democratic state and City officials after Wall Street snubbed the City a attempt to float $375 million in temporary loan notes. The failed note Issue resulted in the severe Cash crunch that would deplete City coffers during december if nothing is done. The officials said they had backing from three Philadelphia congressmen for a $33 million increase in Federal Aid. Cuts of $45 million would come through unspecified mayoral actions and $16 million would come through mayor w. Wilson Goode describes Philadelphia a fiscal plan. At left is state House speaker Robert of Donnell. Improved efficiency in the Philadelphia courts they said. Bond rating agencies have lowered the City a debt to junk Bond status the lowest among major . Cities. The agencies have urged City and state leaders to cooperate to find permanent solutions. Hyman c. Grossman managing director at Standard amp poor a corp., said the plan needed Republican backing to Clear the gop controlled state Senate. A without that there a nothing to comment on a he said. Colleen Woodell a vice president at Fitch investors Sands of time service said the talks had been encouraging but May have fallen Short. A doll arise in a not sure it does what they need to have done a she said. A i would need to be  the City Council passed a precariously balanced $2.1 billion general fund budget May 31 for the fiscal year that began july 1. By september a $206.4 million deficit was projected because several assumptions had turned sour. Major factors included sluggish tax receipts inaction by state legislators on City passed tax measures and arbitration awarded police and firefighter pay increases. Boeing gets contract for Tanker modification 40 years ago today. In the stars and stripes Wichita Kan. Up Boeing military air planes said Friday it has received a . Air Force contract that could be Worth up to $120 million Over a period of five years for continued installation work on Kc-135 tankers. The Wichita Branch of Boeing military air planes is part of the Boeing defense amp space group based in Seattle. The contract Calls for installation work on 40 tankers in 1991 for $23.5 million. A total installations during the five year period would Range from 166 to 211 tankers depending on future defense budgets Boeing said. The work will cover numerous structural and aircraft system modifications required to accommodate a particular Type of engine the cfm56. Modifications include a reinforced Wing Structure and floor strengthened main Landing gear deletion of the water injection system and rearranged cockpit controls and displays. Boeing said the modifications also will include a number of improvements unrelated to the propulsion system. About 250 Boeing employees Are assigned to the installation program. No new employment is expected for the new contract. Nov. 11, 1950 a the United states and five other nations asked the . Security Council to order chinese communist troops out of korea.30 years ago today. Nov. 11, 1960 a Bonn officials announced that West German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer and his socialist party opponent West Berlin mayor Willy Brandt planned to travel to the United states in Early 1961 to Confer with president kennedy.20 years ago today. Nov. 11,1970 a Gen. Charles de Gaulle Symbol of France died quietly of a circulatory disorder at his Home in Colombey Les Deus Eulises France at the age of 79.7 0 years ago today. Nov. 11,1980 a Poland a largest Independent Trade Union Solidarity called off plans for a nationwide strike after the nations supreme court removed a clause from the unions charter affirming the leading role of the communist party