Photo credit: Frontpage Africa
Authorities in Sierra Leone have impounded a 14-seater aircraft for needing proper landing permits and not originating from any recognized airfield in Liberia.
The plane, with four crew members, allegedly illegally landed at Freetown International Airport while travelling from Liberia to Mexico.
The Sierra Leonean government said the crew needed to present their documents. Later, it was confirmed that three members are Mexican nationals, and one holds a Spanish passport.
The authorities also discovered that the plane was operating under a fake registration number, with parts scratched off.
While the crew claimed that a radio failure caused the landing, a technical inspection revealed that the radio was okay. The flight captain said he was paid $20,000 for the trip.
