An aircraft operated by Skypower Express on Tuesday night crash-landed and somersaulted while attempting to land at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in Owerri, Imo State, leaving four occupants injured and requiring hospitalisation.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) confirmed the incident, saying the accident involved a Cessna 172 aircraft with registration number 5N-ASR. All four people on board survived the crash and are currently receiving medical attention, with no fatalities recorded.
According to the bureau, the aircraft was originally flying from Kaduna International Airport to Port Harcourt International Airport when the crew declared an in-flight emergency and diverted to Owerri for an unscheduled landing.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the NSIB’s Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs Bimbo Oladeji, said the accident occurred at about 8:00 pm during the aircraft’s approach to Runway 17, where it crash-landed and somersaulted on the runway.
She explained that airport emergency response teams were immediately activated and arrived at the scene promptly to assist the occupants and secure the area. Oladeji added that there was no post-crash fire, and normal airport operations were not affected, as the runway remained open and other aircraft were able to take off safely after the incident.
Efforts are currently underway to evacuate the damaged aircraft from the runway, allowing for a thorough technical examination.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., said the bureau has activated its full investigation procedures and is working with relevant aviation authorities to secure the crash site. He assured that further details would be made public as the investigation progresses.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) had not issued official statements on the incident.
