Freetown, Sierra Leone—In a surprising incident on Friday, September 20, a 14-seater aircraft made an unauthorized landing at Freetown International Airport, prompting immediate investigations by local authorities. The plane, which reportedly flew from Liberia to Mexico, was found to be operating under a fake registration number and had not sought permission to land.
The Ministry of Information and Civic Education confirmed that four individuals, including the pilot, were detained. Three of the individuals are Mexican nationals, while the fourth holds a Spanish passport. The Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA), along with security forces and the Office of National Security, has launched a joint investigation into the matter.
Initial findings revealed that the aircraft did not depart from any recognized airfield in Liberia and failed to contact air traffic control prior to landing. Notably, the crew members have been uncooperative, offering conflicting accounts of their journey.
The pilot initially claimed language barriers but later confessed to being paid $20,000 for the flight. A thorough search of the aircraft yielded no suspicious items.
Currently, six individuals are under investigation, including the four aboard the plane and two air traffic controllers. The aircraft has been impounded, with security personnel stationed at the scene.
The SLCAA is preparing a technical report on the incident and will provide further updates to the public in the coming days. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Information and Civic Education has reassured the public that the airport remains safe for normal operations.
