Roberts International Airport (RIA), Liberia’s main aviation hub, experienced significant disruption on Thursday evening after the presidential jet carrying President Joseph Boakai suffered a tire blowout during landing. The incident occurred as the aircraft was returning from Nigeria, where President Boakai had attended the 50th anniversary celebration of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
According to multiple sources, one of the plane’s tires burst upon touchdown, causing the jet to come to an abrupt halt in the middle of the runway. This sudden stop triggered panic among passengers and crew onboard. Smoke was reportedly seen billowing from the damaged tire, heightening fears of a potential fire or crash. The aircraft, a 36-year-old Gulfstream IV used for both the outbound and return trips, was immobilized on the runway, blocking the only operational strip at RIA.
Airport emergency protocols were immediately activated. President Boakai was swiftly disembarked by his official motorcade, while the rest of his delegation was evacuated using airport shuttle buses. Despite the alarming nature of the landing, all passengers, including the President, were unharmed.
The Liberia Airport Authority (LAA) confirmed the incident as an “unfortunate near-accident situation” and emphasized that the runway infrastructure remains fully compliant with international aviation safety standards, dismissing rumors that poor runway conditions contributed to the tire failure. However, the aircraft’s position on the runway caused widespread disruption. Airlines such as Kenya Airways, Air Peace, and ASKY suspended all inbound flights to Monrovia indefinitely, leaving many passengers stranded amid confusion and frustration.
Efforts to remove the stranded jet were complicated by the absence of a crane capable of lifting the aircraft. Airport staff resorted to manually towing the plane using the only available pushback vehicle, a process that delayed the resumption of normal airport operations.
As of the latest updates, the aircraft has been cleared from the runway, and flight operations have resumed. The Liberia Airport Authority has launched a formal investigation to determine the precise cause of the tire malfunction and pledged to keep the public informed.
President Boakai briefly addressed the media upon arrival but did not comment on the landing scare. The Liberian presidency has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident.
This event has reignited concerns about aviation safety and infrastructure at Roberts International Airport, which has faced criticism in recent years over runway conditions and airport management. The incident underscores the critical need for improved emergency response capabilities and equipment at Liberia’s primary airport to prevent future disruptions and ensure passenger safety.
