A Cessna 172, registered as 5N-ASR and operated by Skypower Express, crashed at Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in Owerri, Imo State, at approximately 8:00 pm.
The flight originally departed Kaduna for Port Harcourt but diverted to Owerri after the crew declared an emergency.
Four individuals, including passengers and crew, were on board at the time of the incident.
Mrs. Bimbo Oladeji, the NSIB’s Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, confirmed that the bureau is aware of the crash and has launched an investigation.
The NSIB reports that the aircraft crashed near the Runway 17 approach area, adding that there were no fatalities.
A statement obtained by Persecondnews said: “Following the occurrence, airport emergency services were successfully activated and arrived on site promptly. Reports indicate that there was no post-crash fire, and the runway remains active for flight operations, with other aircraft taking off safely after the incident.
“Efforts are currently underway to coordinate the recovery and evacuation of the distressed aircraft from the crash site to allow for a detailed wreckage examination.”
The NSIB has officially activated its investigation protocols, fulfilling its statutory mandate to examine the cause of the accident.
Expressing relief that there were no fatalities, NSIB Director-General Capt. Alex Badeh Jr. offered his sympathies to the management of Skypower Express.
He confirmed that investigators are currently working with local authorities to secure the site and begin a thorough analysis of the crash.
Persecondnews reports that the incident follows a similar scare just two days prior at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport. On Sunday morning, a Flybird Aviation private jet en route to Abuja crash-landed at approximately 9:30 a.m.
Fortunately, all 11 occupants were safely evacuated from the aircraft despite the harrowing circumstances.
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