The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has confirmed the crash landing of a Cessna 172 aircraft operated by Skypower Express at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in Owerri, Imo State. Remarkably, all four occupants escaped unharmed.
The aircraft, which was on a chartered flight from Kaduna International Airport to Port Harcourt International Airport, declared an emergency mid-flight and was forced to divert to Owerri. The incident occurred in the approach area of Runway 17.
NSIB Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Bimbo Oladeji, stated that the airport police patrol units and emergency response teams were immediately deployed following a distress alert, successfully rescuing all crew members.
According to Oladeji, two crew members were in stable condition, while the other two, initially unconscious, were evacuated to a hospital and are currently receiving medical attention. “The crew declared an emergency, necessitating a diversion to Owerri, where the aircraft subsequently crash landed. There were no fatalities, and the runway remained operational for other flights,” Oladeji said.
The Bureau confirmed there was no post-crash fire and noted that recovery operations are ongoing. The aircraft will be carefully examined as part of a formal investigation in line with NSIB’s statutory mandate. NSIB Director-General Capt. Alex Badeh Jr. expressed relief that no lives were lost and extended sympathies to the management of Skypower Express.
In a separate aviation incident earlier this month, a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft crashed near Karabonde in Borgu Local Government Area, Niger State. Two pilots were injured while conducting a scheduled inspection test. Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, NAF Director of Public Relations, commended the pilots for maintaining composure and safely ejecting from the aircraft, ensuring no damage to nearby settlements.
These incidents underscore ongoing challenges in aviation safety and the importance of rapid emergency response protocols in Nigeria.