Created Thursday, Jan 11th 2024 21:38Z, last updated Friday, Jan 12th 2024 10:57Z
An Air Cote d'Ivoire de Havilland Dash 8-400, registration TU-TSL performing a charter flight from Banjul (Gambia) to Yamoussoukro (Cote d'Ivoire) carrying the national football team of Gambia, was climbing out of Banjul when the aircraft needed to return to Banjul for a safe landing.
Members of the Gambian Football team reported that upon boarding the flight it was incredibly hot, the crew assured them as soon as they would be airborne the air conditioning would work and it would become cooler. However, soon after departure a number of players and the trainer fell asleep due to lack of oxygen and the heat prompting the return to Banjul. Some of the players did not immediately wake up after landing.
The airline reported the scheduled departure was set for 12:20 UTC, the players however only showed up by 16:00Z. TU-TSL thus departed at 16:45Z, 10 minutes into the flight the crew had to decide to return to Banjul however due to a pressurization problem. After the return the issue could not be quickly resolved despite a mechanics present due to the crew duty time restrictions. Another aircraft was dispatched to take the team to Yamoussoukro.
The players reported that they refused to reboard the occurrence aircraft or any turbo prop for that matter. Air Cote d'Ivoire dispatched an Airbus A319-100 (editorial note: registration TU-TSY) which took them to their competition in the meantime.
