President Joseph Boakai’s private jet suffered landing gear issues.
There was panic and confusion at Roberts International Airport (RIA) on Thursday night after President Joseph Boakai’s private plane experienced a landing issue while returning from Nigeria.
According to officials, one of the tyres burst just as the aircraft touched down, causing a rough landing. Photos of the stalled jet were quickly shared across social media, sparking fears over the president’s safety.
Fortunately, President Boakai and his team were safely evacuated without any injuries. The airport authority later confirmed the plane had suffered a mechanical problem and not a result of poor runway conditions.
Airport Operations Resume After Delay
Due to the emergency, all night flights were cancelled, and the damaged aircraft remained stuck on the runway for some time. The Liberia Airport Authority (LAA) described it as an “unfortunate near-accident” and said normal operations resumed after the jet was cleared.
The LAA also stated:
“The runway is in good condition and follows international safety rules.”
While the exact cause is still under investigation, the LAA promised to share updates once more information is available.
Though the presidency has not made an official comment, they posted pictures of Boakai’s return, showing him speaking briefly to reporters without mentioning the incident. The president had been in Abuja, Nigeria, attending the 50th anniversary of ECOWAS.
