––As LAA Plays Down Report of Crash Amidst Ongoing Investigation
IPNEWS: A usual landing of Royal Air Maroc early Saturday morning, August 17, was hindered by littering dirt along the RIA runway causing panic among passengers and flight attendees during a flight landing at the Roberts International Airport.
Eyewitnesses tell the authoritative Independent Probe Newspaper that the aircraft, a Boeing 737-800, at 5:15AM. was attempting to land when it encountered severe technical difficulties with the plane veer off the runway before coming to a halt in a nearby field.
Contrary to this report, other sources closed to the RIA Management hinted IPNEWS that there was there was no panic to the point most of, if not all of the passengers, did not even know there was an incident.
“The plane landed and then veered off the runway a little. The pilot brought it back on to the runway, parked it, the passenger descended, and it was only upon reloading for departure that airport engineers noticed the huge quantity of vegetation under the plane, that pointed an alarm and grounded the plane for investigation in keeping with international standards.”
“The fact that the plane veered off the runway and into the grass and then back onto the runway brought the debris onto the runway.” The source stated.
Initial investigation by the Liberia Airport Authority (LAA), revealed that the Royal Air Maroc aircraft had picked up significant debris follow a heavy downpour of rain during the early hours of Saturday morning.
“As a result of the noticed of debris, the airport Safety Compliance team inspected the runway and observed that portion of the runway pavement shoulders had been damaged with huge debris along the runway.”
“Upon receipt of this information, the Liberia Airport Authority (LAA) management immediately contacted the airline crew, through the aircraft engineer, about the situation and that the aircraft remain grounded until further instructions, whilst the Liberia Civil Aviation Authority (LCAA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) were contacted.”
“Inspections teams from both LCAA and AAIB were dispatched to the airport and visited the incident scene, along with the Minister of Transport, for further observations. It was observed that the aircraft had landed safely but veered off the runway resulting to no injury to passengers, no structural damage to aircraft and no fatality. It is important to note that passengers on board the aircraft were unaware of the incident. Departing passengers were then hosted in nearby hotels awaiting another Royal Air Maroc flight out of the airport scheduled to come later during the day.” A statement from LAA read.
The LLA release further stated that circumstances surrounding the incident are being investigated by the LCAA and AAIB, whilst the aircraft is being grounded until further notice, stressing that investigation is ongoing, further updates would be made available as new information arises.
The LAA said that incident which involves the Royal Air Maroc flight, occurred early morning of Saturday, August 17, 2024 at about 0515 HRSm after a Boeing 737-800 Series aircraft, with flight number AT-567 landed at the Roberts International Airport, taxied and docked unto the Jetway without any reported incident.
Playing down any reason for panic, stated that however there was no reported incident, during routine inspection of the aircraft prior to departure, in keeping with standards and recommended practices, it was observed that the aircraft had picked up significant debris that precipitated further inspections.
“The Liberia Airport Authority (LAA) remains committed to maintaining the highest safety standards of passengers and aircraft. Thanks for your patience and understanding.” The LAA release concludes.
