Emergency Landing Turns Tragic as Aircraft Crashes at Sam Mbakwe Airport, No Casualties Recorded
An aircraft operated by Skypower Express on Tuesday night crashed while attempting an emergency landing at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State, leaving four occupants shaken but alive.
The aircraft, a Cessna 172 with registration number 5N-ASR, was en route from Kaduna International Airport to Port Harcourt International Airport when the crew declared an emergency mid-flight and diverted to Owerri.
According to reports, the aircraft crashed at about 8:00 pm while approaching Runway 17 of the airport. There were four persons on board, comprising passengers and crew members.
Confirming the incident, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) said it had been officially notified of the crash and immediately activated its emergency response and investigation protocols.
The Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at NSIB, Mrs. Bimbo Oladeji, disclosed that airport emergency services were swiftly deployed to the scene, preventing further damage.
“There was no post-crash fire, and the runway remains active for flight operations, with other aircraft taking off safely after the incident,” the NSIB said in a statement.
The Bureau also revealed that efforts are ongoing to recover and evacuate the damaged aircraft from the crash site to enable a detailed wreckage examination.
Reacting to the development, the Director-General of NSIB, Capt. Alex Badeh Jr., expressed sympathy to the management of Skypower Express and relief that no lives were lost in the incident.
Investigations have since commenced to determine the cause of the emergency and the eventual crash, as aviation authorities assure the public of continued safety oversight.