A Cessna 172 aircraft operated by Skypower Express crash-lands at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State, with no fatalities recorded. All four crew members on board survive the incident.
The aircraft, with registration number 5N-ASR, is en route from Kaduna International Airport to Port Harcourt International Airport when the crew declares an emergency and diverts to Owerri. The incident occurs at about 6:58 p.m. on Tuesday during the aircraft’s final approach to Runway 17, Mediaplusng.com reports.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) confirms the development in a statement signed by its Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Bimbo Oladeji. She says airport emergency services are immediately activated and respond swiftly to the scene. According to the NSIB, there is no post-crash fire, and flight operations at the airport continue normally as the runway remains operational.
Oladeji adds that arrangements are underway to recover and evacuate the aircraft from the runway area to allow for a detailed wreckage examination, Mediaplusng.com reports.
The Director-General of the NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., expresses relief that no lives are lost and commiserates with the airline over the incident. He commends the quick response of airport emergency teams, which helps prevent further damage and ensures the safety of all occupants.
Further details show that four crew members are on board at the time of the crash-landing. Following the distress alert, airport police patrol units, working with emergency response teams, move quickly to the scene and successfully rescue all occupants.
Two of the crew members are reported to be in stable condition after the incident. The remaining two, who are initially unconscious, are promptly evacuated to a nearby hospital, where they are currently receiving medical attention and responding to treatment.
The NSIB says it has formally commenced an investigation into the incident in line with its statutory mandate. The Bureau explains that the investigation will focus on identifying the cause of the emergency, assessing the aircraft’s condition, and reviewing operational and environmental factors surrounding the crash-landing.
The NSIB assures the public that safety remains a top priority and that findings from the investigation will be made public once concluded. It also urges aviation stakeholders to continue adhering strictly to safety procedures to maintain confidence in Nigeria’s air transport system.
Airport authorities confirm that normal flight operations continue at the Owerri airport, with no disruption to scheduled arrivals and departures.
