The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has confirmed a serious accident involving a Cessna 172 aircraft at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in Owerri, Imo State.
The aircraft, operated by Skypower Express (registration 5N-ASR), was traveling from Kaduna to Port Harcourt when the crew declared an emergency and diverted to Owerri. At approximately 8:00 pm, the plane crash-landed and somersaulted on Runway 17.
NSIB’s Director of Public Affairs, Mrs. Bimbo Oladeji, confirmed that “all four occupants of the aircraft were hospitalised following the incident, with no fatalities recorded”.
She further noted that despite the severity of the crash:
“There was no post-crash fire and that flight operations were not disrupted, as the runway remained active with other aircraft taking off safely after the incident,”.
NSIB Director-General Captain Alex Badeh Jr. stated that the bureau has “activated its investigation protocols and was coordinating with relevant authorities to secure the site”.
Technical teams are currently working to evacuate the wreckage for a detailed examination, and further updates are expected as the investigation progresses.
