Liberia’s main airport faced temporary chaos Thursday night after a private jet carrying President Joseph Boakai suffered a landing gear malfunction, forcing a rough touchdown that left the aircraft stranded on the runway.
The incident occurred as the president was returning from Nigeria, where he had attended ECOWAS’ 50th-anniversary celebrations. Witnesses reported panic at Roberts International Airport (RIA) after the jet’s tire burst upon landing, leaving it immobilised and prompting the cancellation of all scheduled flights for the night.
The Liberia Airport Authority (LAA) confirmed the “unfortunate near-accident situation” but dismissed claims that poor runway conditions were to blame. “The runway infrastructure remains fully compliant with international aviation safety standards,” the LAA stated, adding that the jet had since been cleared and normal operations had resumed.
Photos of the stalled aircraft circulated widely on social media, sparking concerns about the president’s safety. However, Boakai and his entourage were safely evacuated unharmed. The presidency later shared images of the leader arriving at the airport, where he briefly spoke to journalists without directly addressing the incident.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the malfunction. The LAA assured the public that updates would be provided as the inquiry progresses.
The scare highlights growing concerns about ageing aviation infrastructure in parts of West Africa, though officials maintain that Liberia’s main airport meets safety requirements.
President Boakai, who took office earlier this year, has yet to issue a formal statement on the incident. His return trip, meant to cap a diplomatic mission, ended in an unexpected emergency, leaving travellers and officials relieved that the situation did not escalate further.
