A wave of panic swept through Liberia’s main international airport on Thursday night following a terrifying near-crash involving a private jet carrying President Joseph Boakai. The high-stakes drama unfolded at Roberts International Airport (RIA), where the aircraft was forced into an emergency landing due to a critical malfunction in its landing gear.
According to a statement released by the Liberia Airport Authority (LAA), the presidential jet experienced a mechanical failure while approaching the runway. One of the landing gear components reportedly malfunctioned mid-air, resulting in a rough, emergency touchdown that caused one of the aircraft’s tyres to burst upon impact. The sudden incident sent airport personnel scrambling and brought all evening flights to a halt.
The runway, momentarily transformed into a scene of chaos, was quickly surrounded by emergency responders and aviation personnel. The jet, unable to taxi off the tarmac, remained stranded, disrupting flight schedules and grounding planes operated by major carriers including Asky Airlines, Air Peace, Kenya Airways, and Royal Air Maroc.
President Boakai, who had just concluded a high-level diplomatic mission to Abuja, Nigeria—where he attended the 50th anniversary summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)—was swiftly evacuated from the aircraft along with his delegation. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Though visibly calm, the President made no mention of the harrowing ordeal while briefly addressing reporters at the airport. Meanwhile, images of the grounded jet quickly circulated on social media, sparking public alarm and reigniting concerns over the country’s aviation safety infrastructure.
In a press release, the Liberia Airport Authority described the episode as “an unfortunate near-accident situation” and reassured the public that the airport’s facilities, including its runway, remain in full compliance with international safety standards.
> “The runway infrastructure remains fully compliant with international aviation safety standards,” the LAA stated, adding that normal operations resumed later that night once the disabled aircraft was removed.
Authorities confirmed that a full-scale investigation has been launched to determine the root cause of the malfunction. Aviation experts from Liberia and possibly international partners are expected to examine the jet’s technical systems and maintenance logs.
FrontPageAfrica, a local news outlet, posted a video on X (formerly Twitter) showing the aftermath of the emergency landing, with the jet immobilized on the runway as emergency crews worked tirelessly around it. The footage further fueled widespread concern and called into question the reliability of VIP transport aircraft in the region.
As Liberia breathes a collective sigh of relief over the President’s narrow escape, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for stringent aviation oversight, especially concerning aircraft used by top government officials. For now, the nation watches closely as investigators unravel the mystery behind the failed landing gear—and hope that such a scare remains a one-time event.
PIONEER NEWS 