MONROVIA – The Liberian Government, through the Liberia Airport Authority (LAA), has officially addressed the runway excursion incident involving Royal Air Maroc flight AT-567, which occurred at Roberts International Airport (RIA) on the morning of August 17, 2024. In a press statement issued later that day, the LAA provided details about the incident and reassured the public of ongoing investigations.
According to the LAA’s statement, the Boeing 737-800 series aircraft landed at RIA at approximately 5:15 AM and successfully taxied to the Jetway without any immediate reports of problems. However, during a routine inspection of the aircraft before its next departure, significant debris was found on the plane, prompting further examination of the runway.
The LAA’s Safety Compliance team conducted an inspection of the runway and discovered damage to portions of the runway pavement shoulders, with debris scattered along the runway. Upon learning of the situation, the LAA informed the airline crew and instructed that the aircraft remain grounded. The Liberia Civil Aviation Authority (LCAA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) were immediately notified and dispatched teams to the airport to assess the situation further.
The LAA confirmed that while the aircraft had veered slightly off the runway during landing, there were no injuries to passengers or crew, no structural damage to the aircraft, and no fatalities. Passengers onboard the flight were reportedly unaware of the incident, which did not cause any alarm during or after the landing. Departing passengers were accommodated in nearby hotels while awaiting a replacement flight from Royal Air Maroc later in the day.
The statement emphasized that the investigation into the cause of the incident is ongoing, led by both the LCAA and AAIB, and the aircraft will remain grounded until the investigation is complete. The LAA assured the public that they will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available.
The Liberia Airport Authority reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards for both passengers and aircraft. The presence of Liberia’s Minister of Transport during the inspection highlights the government’s attention to the situation and its focus on ensuring that aviation safety protocols are upheld.
As investigations continue, aviation authorities are expected to explore various factors that may have contributed to the runway excursion, including weather conditions, pilot actions, and the condition of the runway itself.
