Neighboring Sierra Leone has arrested and signaled an unauthorized aircraft that Landed at the Freetown International Airport.
Authorities said on Friday, 20th of September 2024, the fourteen-seater aircraft made the unauthorized landing at the Freetown International Airport (FNA), flying from Liberia to Mexico.
Through its Ministry of Information and Civic Education, the Government of Sierra Leone in a press release said authorities immediately mobilized and started investigations on the aircraft.
According to the release, four people were found on board, including the captain.
The release indicates that three of those found are Mexican nationals and the fourth carries a Spanish passport.
“The Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA), security forces and the Office of National Security have since taken over the technical and security investigations.” , the release states.
Their preliminary investigation reveals that the aircraft did not fly from any recognized airfield in Liberia.
The investigation also points to the Aircraft failure to have a landing permit, adding that it did not contact the Air Traffic Controller at FNA before landing.
According to the FIA Authorities, the aircraft was flying under a fake registration number, with the parts of the registration number seemingly scratched off.
In the press release, the authorities said that the crew claimed they had radio failure before landing, contrary to a technical inspection report which revealed that the radio was wor
The release states: “Crew members also refused to submit their documents to Sierra Leonean officials despite officials repeatedly asking. The flight captain who claimed he does not speak English, later spoke English and revealed that he was paid $20,000 to do the trip from Liberia to Mexico.”
After a thorough search, police found nothing suspicious on the flight.
The FIA Authorities at the same time said all four people found on the aircraft have been handed over to the Sierra Leone Police for further investigations.
“Two air traffic controllers are also among those moved to the Criminal Investigations Department for further questioning, taking the total number of people under investigations to six.”
Meanwhile, the release from the Sierra Leone Information and Civic Education Ministry reveals that the aircraft has been closed with keys handed over, while under security protection.
