Fault grounds Algerian Defence Minister’s aircraft

A private aircraft carrying the Algerian Defence Minister had to return to Malta shortly after take-off yesterday when one of the wheels did not retract. Malta International Airport confirmed “a technical fault” prevented the left-hand wheel from...

A private aircraft carrying the Algerian Defence Minister had to return to Malta shortly after take-off yesterday when one of the wheels did not retract.

Malta International Airport confirmed “a technical fault” prevented the left-hand wheel from retracting shortly after the Gulfstream took off at 4.05 p.m. for Algiers.

“The fault was resolved by the pilot who then requested permission to land an hour later. Landing was safe and normal,” an MIA spokesman said.

The aircraft circled Malta for a while until onboard efforts were made to resolve the situation. It then returned to Malta for the repairs to be made.

Algerian Defence Minister Abdelmalek Guenaizia was attending a ministers’ meeting in Malta bringing together representatives of European and North African countries.

ksansone@timesofmalta.com

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