Facts
On Sunday, 4 May 2014, a Beechcraft 1900D, registration ZS-OMC, operated by Solenta Aviation (PTY) Ltd, was involved in an incident at Conakry-Gbessia Airport, Republic of Guinea. The aircraft had arrived from Monrovia, Liberia, at 09:55 UTC, carrying an official Liberian delegation led by the President. After the arrival ceremony, the aircraft was parked on the commercial tarmac.
Incident Sequence
At 16:00 UTC, protocol services requested the aircraft be repositioned in front of the Presidential Lounge for the return flight to Monrovia. After engine start, the aircraft was taxied to the Presidential Lounge, where a red carpet was laid out. As the aircraft came to a stop near the carpet, the carpet became entangled with the left propeller, causing significant damage.
Damage and Aftermath
The left engine was affected: one propeller blade was torn off and thrown approximately 20 meters; another blade was split; the red carpet was cut, torn, and shredded in places. No injuries to crew, passengers, or others were reported. The damaged aircraft was returned to the commercial tarmac, and the Liberian delegation departed on other aircraft. A team of technicians arrived on 9 May 2014 from South Africa with a replacement engine. After replacement, the aircraft successfully completed ground and flight tests and was authorized to ferry to base via Abidjan without passengers.
Aircraft and Crew Information
The aircraft was a Beechcraft 1900D, serial number UE-018, with total airframe hours of 26,094 hours 33 minutes as of the incident. It was powered by two Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67D engines. The crew consisted of two pilots: the commander, a 41-year-old Ghanaian national with an ATPL, and the co-pilot, a 42-year-old South African national with an ATPL. Both had type ratings on the BE-1900D.
Weather and Communications
The flight from Monrovia to Conakry was conducted in very good conditions. No further meteorological or communication details were reported.