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Weasua Air Transport

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Weasua Air Transport
IATA ICAO Call sign
WTC WATCO
Founded1993
Ceased operations2006
HubsFreetown
Focus citiesMonrovia
Destinations3
HeadquartersBroad Street, Monrovia.
Key peopleManual Curenca

Weasua Air Transport was a Liberian airline operating from 1993-2006.

History

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Weasua Air Transport was founded in 1993 during the Liberian civil war. The airline operated 3 Yak-40s until an attack on Spriggs Payne Airport in April 1996.[1] One of the aircraft had its tail blown off and the other was damaged in a fire. The last aircraft operated charters between Freetown and Monrovia.[1] The airline also operated An-24s, De Havilland DHC-5 Buffalos and smaller american and soviet types.[2] Some reports about the airline claimed that it operated illegally as a General Sales Agent for Air France, KLM and Kenya Airways in complete contravention of the 'Liberianization Policy' as well as Part 14 of the Liberia Civil Aviation Authority Regulations.[3] One of Wesua's Yak-40s can be found abandoned at Roberts Field.[4]

Destinations

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Country City Airport Notes Refs
 Liberia Monrovia Spriggs Payne Airport [5]
 Sierra Leone Freetown Lungi International Airport Hub [5]

Fleet

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This was the fleet for its entire existence.

Accidents and Incidents

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  • A Yakovlev Yak-40 landed 5 m short of the runway at Sprigg Payne Airport after encountering windshear on final approach. The aircraft hit the runway edge, causing the left landing gear to collapse. The aircraft skidded for another 300 m.[6]
  • A BN-2 Islander crashed on beach following engine failure. it had nine passengers and one crew member. Only two people died.[6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Guttery, Ben (1998). Encyclopedia of African Airlines. United States: McFarland & Company inc. pp. 107–108. ISBN 0-7864-0495-7.
  2. ^ "Weasua Air Transport Company (WATCO) history from Africa, Liberia". Airline History. Retrieved 2020-04-22.
  3. ^ "Wesua Airline Operating Illegally, but Management Denies".
  4. ^ "Yak Hunting in Liberia". AskThePilot.com. 2014-01-14. Retrieved 2020-04-22.
  5. ^ a b "Airliners.net". Airliners.net. Retrieved 2020-04-22.
  6. ^ a b Ranter, Harro. "ASN Aircraft accident IRMA/Britten-Norman BN-2A-26 Islander 9L-LAV Monrovia". aviation-safety.net. Retrieved 2020-04-22.