Runway sabotage leads to aircraft landing gear loss near Freetown

No fatalities • Freetown-Hastings, Sierra Leone • Landing (descent or approach)

An aircraft traveling from Freetown-Lungi to Freetown-Hastings sustained significant damage after landing on a runway sabotaged by rebels.

What happened

During a flight in 2002, an aircraft was operating a route from Freetown-Lungi Airport to Freetown-Hastings, situated southeast of the capital. During the night, rebel forces placed concrete and steel projectiles across the runway to obstruct landing operations.

Upon completing the landing, the right main landing gear made contact with these obstructions. The impact was severe enough to tear the gear from the aircraft. While the aircraft sustained damage that rendered it a total loss, all 16 occupants were able to exit the plane without any injuries.

Findings

Investigations into the incident concluded that the primary reason for the landing gear failure was deliberate runway sabotage involving the placement of heavy debris on the landing surface.

Probable cause

The landing gear was lost due to the aircraft striking concrete and steel objects intentionally placed on the runway by rebels.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2002-12-31 Embraer EMB-110 Bandeirante accident near Freetown-Hastings, Sierra Leone?

An aircraft traveling from Freetown-Lungi to Freetown-Hastings sustained significant damage after landing on a runway sabotaged by rebels.

Were there any fatalities in the 2002-12-31 Embraer EMB-110 Bandeirante accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2002-12-31 involved a Embraer EMB-110 Bandeirante, registration 9L-LBR, operated by Inter Tropic Airlines, at Freetown-Hastings, Sierra Leone.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The landing gear was lost due to the aircraft striking concrete and steel objects intentionally placed on the runway by rebels.

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