JavaScript Required

Jumpseat Aerospace News requires JavaScript to function. Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings to continue.

US Pilots Detained in Guinea After Routine Fuel Stop

February 11, 2026

2 min read

Key Takeaways

Two US pilots detained in Guinea after a fuel stop.
Pilots claim they had clearance to land.
Guinean authorities accuse them of violating national sovereignty.
Pilots face up to 20 years in prison.

Silver membership required Upgrade to Silver to access Key Takeaways.

Upgrade

Strategic Implications

The detention may indicate heightened security tensions in Guinea, which could impact international aviation operations. The case suggests a potential breakdown in communication between local authorities and flight operators, which may have broader implications for business aviation in the region.

Silver membership required Upgrade to Silver to access Strategic Implications.

Upgrade

What Happened

Gulfstream Crew Held Amid Allegations of Unauthorized Landing

Two US pilots operating a Gulfstream IV business jet have been detained in Guinea for nearly six weeks after a routine fuel stop turned into an armed confrontation. The pilots, Fabio Espinal Nunez and Brad Schlenker, claim they had clearance to land and were met by a large contingent of armed military personnel. Guinean authorities accuse them of violating national sovereignty, allegations their families dispute. The case is unfolding against a tense security backdrop in Guinea’s capital, with the pilots’ families urging the US government to intervene. This story was first reported by AeroTime.

Source

Companies Mentioned