Aircraft carrying Liberian president concerned in touchdown scare

Flights have been briefly disrupted at Liberia foremost airport on Thursday night time after a non-public jet carrying President Joseph Boakai nearly crashed whereas touchdown.

A part of the presidential jet’s touchdown gear malfunctioned whereas approaching the runway, inflicting a tough touchdown, airport authorities stated.

The incident, which sparked panic on the airport, compelled the cancellation of all scheduled flights for the night time, native media reported.

President Boakai, who was coming back from a visit in Nigeria together with his entourage, was safely evacuated unhurt, as authorities introduced an investigation.

Images of the stalled jet on the Roberts Worldwide Airport (RIA) circulated on social media, triggering considerations in regards to the president’s security.

Native media, citing airport authorities, stated one of many aircraft’s tyres had burst upon touchdown leaving it stranded on the runway.

In an announcement, the Liberia Airport Authority (LAA) confirmed the “unlucky near-accident state of affairs” involving the presidential jet.

The authority dismissed reviews suggesting that the incident was brought on by poor runway situations.

“The runway infrastructure stays totally compliant with worldwide aviation security requirements,” the LAA stated.

The plane has since been faraway from the runway and regular operations have resumed on the airport, the authorities stated.

“At this stage, investigation to determine the precise explanation for the incident is ongoing, and the airport authority will hold the general public knowledgeable,” the LAA stated.

The Liberian presidency is but to touch upon the incident however it shared photographs of Boakai arriving on the airport, the place he briefly spoke to journalists with out mentioning the aircraft scare.

He had gone to Nigeria to attend the fiftieth anniversary of the regional Financial Neighborhood of West African States (Ecowas).