Liberia’s President Joseph Boakai narrowly escaped a potential air disaster when his presidential jet experienced landing gear failure at Roberts International Airport (RIA) late Thursday night. The incident forced the suspension of all flights and raised nationwide concern over the leader’s safety.
According to airport authorities, one of the aircraft’s landing gear components malfunctioned, resulting in a rough landing. Local media later reported that a tire burst on impact, leaving the jet stranded on the runway and prompting the immediate cancellation of scheduled flights that evening.
President Boakai was returning from Nigeria, where he had attended the 50th-anniversary celebration of ECOWAS, the regional West African bloc. Despite the alarming situation, the president and his entourage were safely evacuated without injury.
Photos of the disabled aircraft quickly circulated on social media, fueling speculation and concern. However, the Liberia Airport Authority (LAA) moved swiftly to calm public fears. In a statement, the LAA confirmed a “near-accident” incident involving the presidential aircraft and emphasized that runway conditions were not to blame.
“The airport runway remains fully compliant with international aviation safety standards,” the authority said, rejecting claims that poor infrastructure contributed to the event.
The aircraft has since been cleared from the runway, and normal airport operations have resumed. Officials confirmed that a full investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the failure.
Interestingly, President Boakai did not address the incident during his brief remarks to journalists upon arrival, choosing instead to focus on the outcomes of his Nigeria visit. The Liberian presidency has yet to release an official statement regarding the event.
This is the latest in a string of high-profile aviation safety concerns in Africa, though no injuries or fatalities were reported in this case. The LAA has pledged to provide updates as investigations progress.
