A cargo plane carrying 180 passengers has made an emergency return to Mitiga Airport in Tripoli after the main cargo door opened during the flight.
The incident happened on Thursday, April 26, when a group of 180 taekwondokas representing clubs of the western region were on their way to Jufra, central Libya, to take part in the Second Jufra Open Taekwondo Tournament that was slated for Friday.
A passenger, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the cargo door opened suddenly after around 15 minutes after the takeoff from Mitiga Airport.
“First we thought it was normal, but then we saw some crew members rushing to the door trying to close it, but they failed.” He said, adding that the passengers felt scared after that.
The aircraft landed safely at Mitiga Airport and the 180 taekwondokas could not make it again.
It is thought that the cargo plane was the same one which was crashed at Sharara oil field on Sunday and left three crew members dead.
The cargo plane preparing for the flight at Mitiga Airport