The incident raises questions about aviation safety standards and governance in Liberia, as investigations continue into the jet scare.
**Landing Scare for Liberian President's Jet Sparks Airport Panic**
**Landing Scare for Liberian President's Jet Sparks Airport Panic**
A malfunction in the presidential jet's landing gear led to disruptions at Liberia's main airport as President Joseph Boakai returned from Nigeria.
On Thursday night, flights were momentarily halted at Roberts International Airport in Liberia after a significant malfunciton involving the presidential jet that was carrying President Joseph Boakai. As the aircraft approached the runway, issues with the landing gear caused a turbulent touchdown, leading to a situation that could have had severe consequences.
According to reports from airport authorities, the malfunction included a burst tire upon landing, which left the aircraft immobilized on the runway. While the incident instigated a wave of panic at the airport, no injuries were reported, and President Boakai, who was returning from a trip to Nigeria where he attended the 50th anniversary celebration of the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas), was safely evacuated.
Local media captured the aftermath, with images of the stranded jet circulating on social networks and raising alarms regarding the president's safety. The Liberia Airport Authority (LAA) characterized the event as a "near-accident" but denied that poor runway conditions contributed to the mishap, asserting that the runway remains up to international aviation safety standards.
In the wake of the incident, the LAA declared that normal operations resumed after the aircraft was removed, and an investigation has been launched to determine the precise cause of the gear failure. While the presidency has not issued a detailed statement on the incident, photos shared on social media depicted President Boakai's arrival at the airport where he addressed the media without mentioning the plane scare.
The potential implications of such an event on national stability and public trust in government operations will likely be scrutinized as further information emerges from the ongoing investigation, highlighting the vital importance of aviation safety protocols, especially for high-profile figures like the Liberian president.
According to reports from airport authorities, the malfunction included a burst tire upon landing, which left the aircraft immobilized on the runway. While the incident instigated a wave of panic at the airport, no injuries were reported, and President Boakai, who was returning from a trip to Nigeria where he attended the 50th anniversary celebration of the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas), was safely evacuated.
Local media captured the aftermath, with images of the stranded jet circulating on social networks and raising alarms regarding the president's safety. The Liberia Airport Authority (LAA) characterized the event as a "near-accident" but denied that poor runway conditions contributed to the mishap, asserting that the runway remains up to international aviation safety standards.
In the wake of the incident, the LAA declared that normal operations resumed after the aircraft was removed, and an investigation has been launched to determine the precise cause of the gear failure. While the presidency has not issued a detailed statement on the incident, photos shared on social media depicted President Boakai's arrival at the airport where he addressed the media without mentioning the plane scare.
The potential implications of such an event on national stability and public trust in government operations will likely be scrutinized as further information emerges from the ongoing investigation, highlighting the vital importance of aviation safety protocols, especially for high-profile figures like the Liberian president.
