Liberia’s President Joseph Boakai and his entourage were unharmed after a private jet carrying them experienced a near-catastrophic landing at Roberts International Airport (RIA) on Thursday night. The incident, which caused widespread panic and temporarily disrupted airport operations, has sparked an investigation into the cause of the malfunction.  

According to airport authorities, the presidential jet encountered a critical issue with its landing gear while approaching the runway, leading to a rough and unstable landing. One of the aircraft’s tires reportedly burst upon touchdown, leaving the plane stranded on the runway and prompting the cancellation of all scheduled flights for the night.  

Photos of the stalled jet quickly circulated on social media, igniting concerns about the safety of the president and his delegation. The Liberia Airport Authority (LAA) swiftly issued a statement confirming the “unfortunate near-accident situation” but dismissed speculation that poor runway conditions were to blame.  

“The runway infrastructure remains fully compliant with international aviation safety standards,” the LAA assured the public. The aircraft was later removed from the runway, and normal operations at the airport resumed after the incident.  

President Boakai, who was returning from Nigeria after attending the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), was safely evacuated from the plane. Upon arrival at the airport, he briefly addressed journalists but made no mention of the harrowing landing scare.  

The Liberian presidency has yet to release an official statement regarding the incident, though it shared photos of Boakai’s arrival, emphasizing his safe return. Meanwhile, the LAA has pledged to keep the public informed as the investigation progresses.  

“At this stage, an investigation to establish the actual cause of the incident is ongoing,” the LAA stated.  

The incident has raised questions about the maintenance and safety protocols of the presidential aircraft, with many calling for transparency and accountability in the investigation’s findings.  

As Liberia awaits further details, the nation breathes a collective sigh of relief that its leader and his team emerged unscathed from what could have been a tragic event.