site.btaAircraft Carrying Prime Minister Borissov Returns to Sofia Airport due to Landing Gear Malfunction, the PM Leaves on

Aircraft Carrying Prime Minister Borissov
Returns to Sofia
Airport due to Landing Gear Malfunction, the PM Leaves on
Another Plane


Sofia, February 12 (BTA) - The government's Falcon aircraft,
carrying Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, returned to Sofia
Airport on Wednesday evening due to a problem with the landing
gear, Cabinet's press service said. Right after takeoff the crew
discovered that the aircraft's landing gear had failed to
retract, which forced them to fly around Sofia in order to burn
off fuel, after which the aircraft landed safely back at Sofia
Airport.

Borissov is scheduled to attend the European Council meeting in
Brussels on Thursday. Head of Cabinet's press service Sevdelina
Arnaudova said that the trip would not be postponed and another
airplane was used.

Transport Minister Ivaylo Moskovski said that the government
Falcon is on standby, sealed and under surveillance by the
National Bodyguard Service. A team from Switzerland is expected
to come from the company which services the aircraft and
investigate the problem.

Moskovski voiced hope that the resignation of the Executive
Director of Air Detachment 28 and the incident are coincidental,
as both occurred on the same day. The Minister said he doubts
there is a connection between the two. PK/MY


/СН/