Tchokponhove v. Air Afrique

AMENDED FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

CEDARBAUM, District Judge.

Plaintiff sues for the loss of a suitcase he carried on board defendant’s flight to Cotonou, Republic of Benin on July 18,1992 (“the flight”). A bench trial was held on May 1 and 2, 1996, at which five witnesses testified. Plaintiffs witnesses were El Hadj Diop, another passenger on the flight; Jean-Marie Chapoteau, an Air Afrique customer relations representative; and plaintiff. Defendant’s witnesses were Rita Yelouassi, an Air Afrique cabin attendant; Cyrille Agavon, Air Afrique’s station manager in Cotonou; and Mr.…