A private jet carrying Liberian President Joseph Boakai experienced a rough landing at the Roberts International Airport (RIA) on Thursday night, forcing the cancellation of schedule”Liberian President Joseph Boakai’s plane experiences rough landing due to landing gear malfunction, sparking panic and investigation on flights. The presidential jet’s landing gear malfunctioned while approaching the runway, causing one of the plane’s tyres to burst upon landing and leaving it stranded.
According to airport authorities, President Boakai, who was returning from Nigeria where he attended the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas), was safely evacuated unharmed. The incident sparked panic at the airport, but Boakai spoke to journalists at the airport without mentioning the incident.
The Liberia Airport Authority (LAA) confirmed the “unfortunate near-accident situation” involving the presidential jet and dismissed reports suggesting that the incident was caused by poor runway conditions. “The runway infrastructure remains fully compliant with international aviation safety standards,” the LAA said. An investigation is ongoing to establish the actual cause of the incident, and the airport authority will keep the public informed.
“The aircraft has since been removed from the runway and normal operations have resumed at the airport,” the authorities said. The Liberian presidency has yet to comment on the incident but shared photos of Boakai arriving at the airport.
The incident has raised concerns about aviation safety, but authorities are working to ensure that air travel remains safe for passengers.
Liberian President Joseph Boakai’s private jet experienced a rough landing at Roberts International Airport on Thursday, May 29, 2025, due to a malfunctioning landing gear. The incident sparked panic at the airport, forcing the cancellation of scheduled flights. Fortunately, President Boakai, who was returning from Nigeria, was safely evacuated, and no passengers were injured. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
The Liberia Airport Authority confirmed the situation, dismissing reports that the incident was caused by poor runway conditions. According to local media, the plane’s tire burst upon landing, leaving it stranded on the runway. Photos of the damaged jet circulated on social media, triggering concerns about the president’s safety.
This incident highlights the importance of ensuring the safety and maintenance of aircraft, especially those carrying high-profile individuals like President Boakai. The investigation will likely focus on determining the cause of the malfunction and preventing similar incidents in the future.