An runway incident involving a Royal Air Maroc flight that occurred at Roberts International Airport in the early hours of Saturday, August 17, 2024.
The Boeing 737-800 Series aircraft, operating under flight number AT-567, landed at approximately 5:15 a.m., taxied, docked, and later veered off the runway without any injury to passengers, fatality, and structural damage to aircraft.
However, what initially appeared to be a routine arrival quickly escalated into a situation demanding serious attention.
Following the aircraft’s arrival, a standard inspection was conducted prior to its scheduled departure, adhering to international aviation standards and best practices.
During this routine procedure, maintenance crews discovered that the aircraft had accumulated a substantial debris.
This unexpected finding prompted a more thorough inspection of the aircraft and the runway from which it had landed.
According to the RIA Management, the LAA’s Safety Compliance team responded swiftly by conducting an extensive examination of the runway. Their findings were alarming: significant damage to portions of the runway pavement shoulders, with large pieces of debris scattered along the landing area.
The discovery raised immediate concerns about the runway’s integrity and the safety of subsequent flight operations.
In response to this discovery, the LAA management says it took prompt action by contacting the Royal Air Maroc crew via the aircraft’s engineer.
The crew was informed of the situation and advised to keep the aircraft grounded pending further instructions.
Simultaneously, the LAA reached out to the Liberia Civil Aviation Authority (LCAA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) to initiate a formal investigation into the incident.
Inspection teams from both the LCAA and AAIB were quickly dispatched to Roberts International Airport to assess the situation firsthand.
The teams, which included the Minister of Transport, conducted a detailed examination of the runway and the aircraft involved.
Their initial observations confirmed that while the aircraft had landed without immediate incident, it had subsequently veered off the runway.
Fortunately, there were no injuries to passengers, no structural damage to the aircraft, and, most importantly, no fatalities. It is noteworthy that passengers on board were entirely unaware of the incident that had occurred.
As a precaution, departing passengers were accommodated in nearby hotels while arrangements were made for an alternative flight.
Royal Air Maroc scheduled another aircraft to depart from the airport later in the day to ensure that the passengers could continue their journey with minimal delay.
Meanwhile, the incident has triggered a comprehensive investigation by both the LCAA and the AAIB. The aircraft remains grounded at Roberts International Airport until the investigation is concluded, and a thorough assessment of its airworthiness can be made.
The Liberia Airport Authority has assured the public that it remains committed to upholding the highest standards of safety for both passengers and aircraft.
The LAA emphasized that this commitment is unwavering, even in the face of unexpected challenges such as the one encountered on August 17. The Authority has pledged to provide regular updates as new information becomes available during the course of the investigation.
This incident raises critical questions about the condition of the infrastructure at Roberts International Airport and the potential risks associated with its current state.
The damage to the runway, although seemingly minor at first, could have led to a much more severe outcome had it not been detected promptly. This underscores the importance of rigorous safety protocols and the need for continuous monitoring and maintenance of airport facilities.
As the investigation progresses, aviation authorities in Liberia are expected to review and potentially revise safety procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The grounding of the Royal Air Maroc flight, while inconvenient, is a necessary precaution to ensure the continued safety of all airport operations.
In conclusion, the LAA’s swift response to the situation reflects its commitment to passenger safety and operational integrity. However, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in Liberia’s aviation infrastructure and the critical need for ongoing investment in maintaining and upgrading these facilities to meet international safety standards.
The public and stakeholders in Liberia’s aviation industry await the final findings of the investigation, hoping that it will lead to improved safety measures that will prevent such occurrences in the future.
The LAA has thanked the public for their patience and understanding as they work through this complex and sensitive situation.
