By K. Ericson Sayee

MONROVIA, Aug. 17(LINA) – The Liberia Airport Authority (LAA) has disclosed that there were no injuries or structural damage following a minor incident on Saturday August 17, 2024, which saw a Royal Air Moroc plane veering off the runway after it had landed at the Roberts İnternational Airport.

According to a dispatch from the Liberia Airport Authority LAA), dated Aug.17, 2024, the inspections teams from both Liberia Civil Aviation Authority (LCAA) and Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) visited the incident scene and observed that the aircraft had landed safely but veered off the runway.

"It is observed that the aircraft had landed safely but veered off the runway resulting in 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", the LAA reports.

Additionally, the communication noted that all departing passengers who are expected to leave the country were then hosted in nearby hotels awaiting another Royal Air Maroc flight.

The LAA added that the circumstances leading to the incident are currently being investigated by the LCAA and AAIB, while the aircraft is being grounded till further notice, stating that as the investigation is ongoing, it will update the public as information may arise.

The LAA said it remains committed to maintaining the highest safety standards of passengers and aircraft, calling on the public to not panic about the situation as it is taking hold of the matter.

The incident involving the Royal Air Maroc flight occurred on the early morning of Saturday, August 17, 2024, at about 0515 Hrs. The Boeing 737–800 Series aircraft, with flight number AT-567 landed at the RIA taxied and docked onto the Jetway without any reported incident, the authority of the country's International Airport asserted.

Authorities say that during the 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.

"As a result, the airport Safety Compliance team inspected the runway and observed that the portion of the runway pavement shoulders had been damaged with huge debris along the runway", the LAA explained.