Aircraft Crashes at Owerri Airport

Aircraft Crashes at Owerri Airport

A Cessna 172 aircraft operated by Skypower Express crashed at Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in Owerri, Imo State, on Tuesday evening, prompting an immediate emergency response.

The aircraft, with registration marks 5N-ASR, was en route from Kaduna to Port Harcourt when the crew declared an emergency and diverted to Owerri.

It crashed in the approach area of Runway 17 around 8 p.m. local time. All four people on board survived, and no fatalities have been reported.

According to the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), there was no post-crash fire and regular flight operations continued safely at the airport.

In a statement, Mrs Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance for the NSIB, said: “Efforts are ongoing to recover the distressed aircraft from the crash site for a detailed wreckage examination.”

The NSIB confirmed it had activated its investigation protocols. The agency’s Director-General, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., expressed sympathy to the airline while noting the fortunate outcome.

“We express our deepest sympathies to the management of Skypower Express and are glad that no fatalities have been reported so far. Our team is coordinating with authorities to secure the site,” he said.

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