Information Minister Jerolinmek Matthew Piah and several other government officials narrowly escaped what could have been a tragic aviation disaster, when ASKY Airlines Flight 1520 encountered serious turbulence mid-air on its return from the People’s Republic of China.
The flight, which was carrying a delegation of Liberian officials including Deputy Director General of the Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS) Flomo was forced to make an emergency landing in Abidjan, La Côte d’Ivoire, following a severe technical scare believed to have been caused by engine malfunction or adverse weather conditions.
Minister Piah, speaking shortly after the incident, confirmed that while the situation was frightening, there were no injuries reported among the passengers or crew members on board.
“We thank God for His grace. It was a terrifying moment; the plane started shaking uncontrollably at high altitude.
People were crying and praying, but thankfully, the pilots remained calm and managed to land the plane safely in Abidjan,” he narrated.
The delegation had just completed a two-week technical training and bilateral engagement program in China, aimed at enhancing Liberia’s media and communication capacity.
The turbulence struck unexpectedly while the flight was cruising over West African airspace, causing panic among passengers.
Eyewitness accounts from inside the aircraft paint a harrowing picture of the ordeal.
According to one government official who requested anonymity, the plane experienced a sudden and violent drop in altitude, followed by sharp vibrations and the cabin lights briefly flickering.
“There was this loud rumbling sound, then the plane dipped. Luggage compartments flew open. People were screaming.
It felt like the end,” the official recalled, visibly shaken.
Minister Piah corroborated the report, describing the moment as “one of the most frightening experiences” of his life.
“Despite being trained to remain calm in public emergencies, nothing truly prepares you for a near-death experience thousands of feet above the ground,” he said.
“What helped most was the pilot’s professionalism and swift decision to divert and land the plane.”
ASKY Airlines Flight 1520 was originally en route from Addis Ababa with a stopover in Lome, Togo, before proceeding to Monrovia, Liberia.
However, after the turbulence, the pilot issued a mayday call and diverted the flight toward Félix Houphouët-Boigny International Airport in Abidjan, where the aircraft landed safely around 3:45 PM local time.
Emergency services and airport officials were on high alert as the aircraft taxied to the tarmac.
Paramedics and fire service personnel rushed to the scene, but fortunately, no injuries were reported.
All passengers were led safely off the aircraft and taken to a designated area at the terminal for medical checks and debriefing.
Many passengers remained in shock following the incident. Deputy LBS Director General Dflow Flomo, also onboard the ill-fated flight, said the experience was a spiritual awakening for him.
“At that moment, all I could think of was my family and whether I would ever see them again,” Flomo shared emotionally.
“It reminded me of how fragile life is. I’m grateful to be alive and give glory to God.”
The incident has sparked conversations on flight safety, particularly in the West African region where aging aircraft, underdeveloped aviation infrastructure, and unpredictable weather patterns often pose challenges to air travel.
ASKY Airlines has yet to issue a formal statement regarding the incident. However, sources within the airline say an internal investigation has been launched in collaboration with aviation authorities in Côte d’Ivoire and Togo to determine the cause of the turbulence and assess whether mechanical failure or weather anomalies were to blame.
Meanwhile, the Government of Liberia has confirmed that alternative travel arrangements are being made to safely transport the delegation back home.
In a brief social media post, Minister Piah reassured the public of their safety:
“We are safe and grateful to be alive. Thank you to everyone who has reached out. Our thoughts are with all passengers and crew. God is good.”
As the delegation recovers from the shock of the incident, calls are mounting for regional aviation authorities to improve safety standards and emergency preparedness across Africa’s airline industry.
The incident, while ending without injury, serves as a sobering reminder of the unpredictable nature of air travel and the importance of skilled aviation personnel in averting potential tragedy.