Aircraft Crashes Near Owerri Airport After Mid-Air Emergency, Recovery Efforts Ongoing

A light aircraft operated by Skypower Express on Tuesday evening crashed near the approach area of Runway 17 at Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State, after the crew declared an in-flight emergency.

The aircraft, a Cessna 172 with nationality and registration marks 5N-ASR, was initially en route from Kaduna International Airport to Port Harcourt International Airport before diverting to Owerri due to the emergency.

The incident occurred at about 8pm local time, triggering an immediate response from airport emergency services.

However, four people were on board the aircraft at the time of the crash, with authorities confirming that no fatalities or serious injuries were recorded.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) disclosed that there was no post-crash fire and that flight operations at the airport were not disrupted, as other aircraft continued take-offs and landings after the incident.

Mrs. Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, the Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at the NSIB, said efforts were underway to recover the aircraft from the crash site for further examination.

“Efforts are ongoing to recover the distressed aircraft from the crash site for a detailed wreckage examination,” she said.

The bureau added that it had activated its investigation protocols in line with its statutory mandate, while coordinating with relevant airport and security authorities to secure the area.

Reacting to the incident, NSIB Director-General, Alex Badeh Jr., expressed sympathy to the management of Skypower Express and relief over the absence of casualties.

“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.