Four persons were hospitalised on Tuesday night after a light aircraft operated by Skypower Express crash-landed and overturned at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in Owerri, Imo State.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) confirmed the incident in a statement issued by its Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs. Bimbo Oladeji.
According to the bureau, the Cessna 172 aircraft, with registration number 5N-ASR, was flying from Kaduna to Port Harcourt when the crew declared an in-flight emergency and diverted to Owerri.
The aircraft reportedly ran into trouble while approaching Runway 17 at about 8:00 p.m., after which it made a hard landing and somersaulted on the runway.
NSIB said all four occupants on board survived the accident and were immediately taken to a nearby hospital for medical attention.
No fatalities were recorded.
Emergency responders were swiftly deployed to the scene, and authorities confirmed that there was no post-crash fire. Flight operations at the airport were not disrupted, as the runway remained operational shortly after the incident.
While the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) were yet to issue official statements as of the time of filing this report, NSIB said efforts were ongoing to recover the aircraft and commence a detailed examination of the wreckage.
The Director-General of NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., said investigation procedures had been activated in line with the bureau’s mandate, adding that further updates would be provided as findings emerge.
