A Cessna 172 aircraft operated by Skypower Express crash-landed on approach to Runway 17 at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in Owerri, Imo State, on Tuesday evening. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau said the incident occurred at about 6:58 p.m. after the crew declared an in-flight emergency and diverted from their original route.
The light aircraft, with registration 5N-ASR, was reportedly flying from Kaduna International Airport to Port Harcourt International Airport before diverting to Owerri due to the emergency situation. Authorities confirmed that four people were on board at the time of the crash.
An aviation source quoted in local reports said all four occupants survived the crash but two of them sustained very serious injuries. Those two were described as being in critical condition and were rushed to a nearby hospital for urgent treatment, while the other two were said to be stable.
The NSIB said there was no post-crash fire and that flight operations at the airport were not significantly disrupted. Other aircraft continued to land and take off after emergency services had secured the area and moved the injured to hospital.
In a statement, NSIB Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Bimbo Oladeji, confirmed that an official investigation into the accident has begun in line with the agency’s mandate. She said investigators will analyse the wreckage, flight path, weather conditions and any technical or human factors that may have contributed to the crash.
Recovery efforts are ongoing to move the damaged aircraft from the crash site to a secure location for detailed examination. The bureau promised to release further updates as more facts become available and urged the public to avoid speculation until the probe is complete.
Aviation authorities and security agencies have cordoned off the area around the incident site to facilitate investigation and prevent unauthorised access. Officials also commended the quick response of airport emergency teams, which they said helped to prevent fatalities.
Authorities have not yet released the identities of those on board, pending notification of their families. Hospital sources are monitoring the two critically injured victims, while the two others are expected to provide statements to investigators once medically cleared.
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