Panic gripped Owerri on Tuesday night after a light aircraft crashed while attempting to land at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Imo State, leaving four occupants hospitalised.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) confirmed that the crash involved a Cessna 172 aircraft operated by Skypower Express and occurred at about 8pm. The bureau’s Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Bimbo Oladeji, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday.
According to the NSIB, the aircraft was flying from Kaduna International Airport to Port Harcourt when the crew declared an emergency and diverted to Owerri. The plane, however, crashed in the approach area while trying to land on runway 17.
All four persons on board survived the crash and were immediately taken to hospital for medical attention. Airport emergency services were swiftly activated, arrived at the scene, and secured the area.
“There was no post-crash fire, and the runway remained operational, allowing other flights to continue safely,” the statement reads.
Reacting to the incident, the Director-General of the NSIB, Alex Badeh, said the bureau had commenced a full investigation into the crash.
“We express our deepest sympathies to the management of Skypower Express and are glad that no fatalities have been reported so far,” Badeh said.
“The NSIB has activated its protocols, and our team is already coordinating with relevant authorities to secure the site. Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.”
The Imo airport crash comes just days after another aircraft operated by Flybird Aircraft Management Services Ltd crash-landed at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano State, on December 14.
