Four occupants of a Cessna 172 aircraft were hospitalised on Tuesday after the plane crash-landed and somersaulted at Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) confirmed the incident in a statement signed by its Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs. Bimbo Oladeji.
According to the NSIB, the aircraft, operated by Skypower Express and bearing registration number 5N-ASR, was en route from Kaduna International Airport to Port Harcourt International Airport when the crew declared an in-flight emergency and diverted to Owerri.
This newspaper gathered that all four persons on board were taken to hospital following the incident.
The accident reportedly occurred around 8:00 pm during the aircraft’s approach to Runway 17, where it crash-landed and somersaulted.
The NSIB said no fatalities were recorded.
“Airport emergency response services were immediately activated and arrived at the scene promptly. Officials confirmed that there was no post-crash fire, and flight operations at the airport were not disrupted, as the runway remained active with other aircraft taking off safely after the incident,” Oladeji said.
She added that efforts were ongoing to recover and evacuate the damaged aircraft from the crash site to allow for a detailed examination of the wreckage.
In the statement, the Director-General of the NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., said the bureau had commenced investigation in line with its mandate.
“We express our deepest sympathies to the management of Skypower Express and are relieved that no fatalities have been reported so far. The NSIB has activated its protocols, and our team is already coordinating with relevant authorities to secure the site,” he said.
Captain Badeh Jr. added that further updates would be provided as investigations progress.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria were yet to comment on the incident.