Dear Mr. Editor,

The Freedom Newspaper has done remarkably well to highlight a potential major problem for not only The Presidents private Jet, but also Banjul International Airport. This with particular reference to the bird strike against the Jet on takeoff.

 Dealing with the inspection of the report first;

 It concludes that the bird strike was several or even a flock of birds, that the Jet struck upon take off. This is indicated by the strikes at the nose of the aircraft and at two of its three engines. The warning lights in the cockpit would have been expressing a compression surge indication a malfunction of one or more of the engines. The pilot immediately would have sent a message to Banjul control tower that an emergency situation was occurring seeking permission for clearance to land immediately.

 This would have been quite scary for all on board. However flight crews are trained for such emergencies and the aircraft was returned safely.

 There  are several problems to recover the air worthiness of the aircraft. The report indicates that at least one of the engines requires completely overhauling, needing the attention of a suitable workshop capable of rebuilding the rotation fan blades. I would doubt The Gambia has such a capability that could meet the required standards as this would require specialist assistance. The answer may lay in the removal of one or more of the engines, which can then be flown to a workshop either in Europe or America.

The recommendation of a borescope is standard engineering procedure, whereby the inspection engineers with want to look further into the engine mountings to look at other major components for damage. The pilot indicated that there was compressor surge, so they will need to look closely at the engines compressors.

 A borescope is a rigid version of an endoscope. An endoscope is used by doctors to enter a patient normally through the mouth and down the throat ..to have a look inside the stomach for ulcers or possible cancers.

The borescope will be used to gain access deep inside the engine looking for signs of damage that cannot be located by usual methods.

 Whatever the results will determine the remedial work necessary. This work will be time consuming and very expensive. The President jet will be grounded for many months.

The other problem which is potentially as serious for Banjul International Airport is the bird strike.

 The International Civil Aviation Organization {ICAO} may express concerns over the lack of apparatus needed to offset this worrying problem. All Airports have systems installed that can check for this problem and they have methods to overcome the gathering of birds, especially near runways. This is most unusual for birds to strike an aircraft on takeoff. Something has obviously gone seriously wrong here. It may occur again. Luckily The President and his fellow guests onboard have had a near escape, which could have unfolded tragically.

 The ICAO will have been made aware of this situation immediately it occurred and this could affect the way that Banjul International Airport operates in the future. Especially as the Airport handles increasing numbers of flights to and from around the world.

 I am certain The President would be absolutely livid and would order a full investigation.

 Michael U.K.