Landing of Mamy Ravatomanga's Private Jet: CID Scrutinizes Communications Between Cockpit and Airport

The investigation into the landing of the Cessna Citation 560 XL private jet, which carried Mamy Ravatomanga, former Malagasy Prime Minister Christian Ntsay, and their companions, is ongoing at Plaisance Airport. The Criminal Investigation Division (CID), responsible for determining the circumstances of the jet’s landing and the departure of the passengers, has meticulously reviewed the communications between the cockpit and the control tower. The co-pilot is under house surveillance, while the pilot has left the country on another flight. The aircraft remains grounded on the tarmac, sealed and monitored by the Special Mobile Force (SMF).

The CID has conducted interviews with several individuals, including police officers who allowed access to the VIP Lounge, the welcoming committee, and relatives of the passengers. Initial findings suggest that the landing and departure of certain occupants were premeditated.

With the support of the Information Technology Unit, exchanged messages, particularly through email, confirm that the crew intended from the outset to land at Plaisance with the listed passengers: Mamy Ravatomanga, Louis Christian Ntsay, Aina Fenosoa Ravatomanga, and family members.

The investigation also establishes that Jet Prime and Trans Ocean Airways, the operator of the private jet, made several requests for authorization to the Mauritian Civil Aviation.

• The first request, made around 10 PM on Saturday, October 11, via the pilot, was denied.
• A second request at 10:32 PM for a planned takeoff at 11:30 PM from Madagascar was refused: regulations require all requests to be submitted seven days in advance.
• Forty minutes later, at 11:12 PM, a new request was submitted, while the aircraft had already taken off from Antananarivo at 10:19 PM.

In light of this situation, Mauritius Air Traffic Control formally prohibited access to Mauritian airspace at 11:31 PM, reminding that passenger visas must be submitted three days prior to arrival.

The pilot cited an emergency landing, claiming a false fuel level, stating a remaining autonomy of 3 hours and 20 minutes. The Acting Director of Civil Aviation ultimately permitted the landing at 12:20 AM, and the jet touched down on the tarmac at Plaisance at 12:44 AM. Since October 29, it has remained immobilized under SMF surveillance.

The CID continues its investigations to establish all circumstances surrounding the landing, the authorizations granted, and the passengers' departure.