A U.S. pilot was arrested Wednesday, Aug. 5, after authorities said his Bombardier Global 5000 landed at Bakili Muluzi International Airport in Blantyre, Malawi, without following required aviation procedures. He was subsequently fined 3 million Malawian kwacha, approximately $1,730. Authorities did not publicly specify which procedures were not followed.
Flight From South Africa
Terry Lee Jennings was flying the Global 5000 from Lanseria International Airport near Johannesburg, South Africa, according to Malawi’s Nyasa Times. Airport spokesperson Dorrah Chathyoka told the publication that the aircraft had been chartered to collect a foreign couple who had been vacationing in Malawi.
Authorities detained the aircraft after the landing and arrested Jennings. Malawian officials have not publicly identified the specific procedure or regulation Jennings allegedly violated. Nyasa Times reported that it was also unclear whether the alleged procedural lapse involved Jennings alone or whether airport ground personnel or air traffic control played a role.
Pilot Pays Fine
By Thursday, Aug. 6, Nyasa Times reported that Magistrate Paul Chiotcha had ordered Jennings to pay 3 million kwacha, approximately $1,730 USD, or serve one year in prison.
Jennings paid the fine, and the Global 5000 was subsequently permitted to depart Malawi. The reporting did not identify any additional enforcement action against the aircraft or its passengers.
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